Community Life

A-Day-in-the-Life

Text in English

[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn2375.jpg]5:00 - AM The bell is the voice of the Lord that calls us to be in His Presence
Bell ringer: “Hail, Mary Most Pure” All respond: “Conceived without sin”. Bell ringer: “Arise, Sisters, to praise God and His Most Blessed Mother”... [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00070.jpg]While the Servant of Mary dons her holy habit: “Cover me, Lord, with the white stole of innocence
and make me pure of heart that I may be worthy of everlasting life”.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00067.jpg]Belt: “Gird me, Lord, with the cincture of purity ...
and quench in me the fire of vice that I may be always clean of heart”.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00069.jpg]Cape: “Grant, Lord, that I may carry the yoke of your holy law
and the light weight of my religious duties with fortitude and meekness, that I may always be worthy of your divine grace”. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00071.jpg]Veil: “Defend me, Lord, with your grace,
that I may victoriously resist all evil thoughts. Amen”. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_ph-6-dsc02823.jpg]5:30 AM - We recite the “Angelus” or the “Regina Coeli”
After we invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit we have an hour of personal prayer in silence before the Tabernacle where Jesus dwells. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_ph-7-dscn4795.jpg]6:30 AM - Liturgy of the Hours or Morning Prayer
We recite daily, in community, Morning, Evening and Night Prayer. “Christ prays in us and for us to the Father”. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_rev-j-aquinas-guilbeau-2.jpg]6:45 AM - Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
“We shall participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, offering to the Father in union with Christ our lives and the pain of our suffering brothers, converting our working day into a continual Mass” (Const. 38). [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_ph-9-dscn4842.jpg]The Eucharist is the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross...
as well as the “Lord’s Supper”. It is also the very center of our religious life and of the Community, which expresses praise and thanksgiving in a very special way. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_ph-10-imag0124.jpg]At the end of the Mass, the thanksgiving is prolonged
for a few minutes. Then, we leave the Chapel in silence. This Eucharistic celebration extends throughout our daily life’s commitments, which in turn, carry us back once again to the Eucharist. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00990.jpg]7:30 AM - Breaskfast.
“Lord, grant that the nourishment we take be a sign of fraternity”. After the greeting and blessing of the food, a passage from Sacred Scripture or the Imitation of Christ is read. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn2434.jpg]7:45 AM - The Sisters on night duty with the sick have their time for personal prayer
in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and in silence. The student Sisters leave for school.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00661.jpg]8:00 AM - Prayer for silence and offering to Our Blessed Mother...
At the designated time for silence, "The search for intimacy with God and the practice of fraternal love open to the mystery of others involves the truly need of a silence embracing the whole being" (Const. 57).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_reading-scripture.jpg]8:30 AM - Spiritual Reading nourishes our faith
...and cultivate the interior life” (Const. 42). To know the Scriptures is to know Christ. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_cleaning-refectory.jpg]9:00 AM - Time for work and study...Cleaning the refectory
“Blessed is he who walks in the presence of the Lord” [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn4883.jpg]Washing and rinsing the dishes
We offer the Lord all the moments of these hours, asking Him to grant us the grace to employ them in the accomplishment of His most holy Will.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_washing-dishes.jpg]Putting the dishes in place
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_cleaning-the-blinds.jpg]The Sister sacristans are very diligent
in preparing and keeping everything in perfect order and cleanliness. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01077.jpg]Doing the laundry
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_018.jpg]Laundry
Distributing the clothes to the different sections of the house[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01011b.jpg]Folding laundry
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01014.jpg]Ironing
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sewing-machine.jpg]Sewing
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sacristan-chalice.jpg]Preparing the sacred chalice
The service of the altar requires careful attention. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sacristans-carnations.jpg]Sacristans arrange flowers
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01090.jpg]It smells good
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sister-nursing-elderly-sister.jpg]At the infirmary, taking care of our own sick and elderly Sisters
"We shall consider our sick and elderly Sisters as a gift from God" (Const. 64).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sister-taking-blood-pressure.jpg]Taking blood pressure
The Sister offers her services with delicate, patient and self-giving charity.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_preparing-the-meds.jpg]The Sister in charge of the infirmary
duly administers the medications prescribed to the sick Sisters.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01022.jpg]Study
to advance along the way of perfection... and to give of ourselves more and more in the exercise of our community and ministerial services" (Const. 86). [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_003.jpg]Conferences that the Novices have every day with Mother Mistress
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_chapel-prayers.jpg]11:15 AM - Prayer of Praise to the Blessed Trinity and examination of conscience
“Following in the footsteps of our Holy Mother Foundress, we shall offer daily our Prayer of Praise to the Blessed Trinity.” (Const. 42) “We shall examine the state of our conscience daily in order to humbly acknowledge our misgivings and less upright attitudes, give impulse to the proper development of our spiritual life…” (Const. 42)[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sister-ringing-bell.jpg]At the sound of the cloister bell, we recite the “Miserere” or Psalm 51
“Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness..." After it, we proceed in silence to the refectory for lunch. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_refectory.jpg]11:30 AM - Lunch. After the Blessing before meals
a Sister reads a number from our Constitutions followed by a spiritual book while the other Sisters eat in silence. (It is our custom to observe silence while we eat. Only on Thursdays, Sundays or special feasts is speaking permitted. Then the Sister reads a number from our Constitutions and the Gospel Reading for the day). [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_chapel-sisters-praying.jpg]12:00 Noon - “Te Deum”, “Angelus” or “Regina Coeli,” and the Prayer to Saint María Soledad
Following lunch, we proceed to the Chapel in silence to recite the “Te Deum”. During Holy Week this is substituted with one of the penitential psalms. We continue with the “Angelus” or “Regina Coeli” according to the liturgical season and a few minutes of silence for a colloquial-visit to the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with the Prayer to Saint María Soledad, our Mother Foundress. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_volleyball-sisters.jpg]12:00 Noon - Recreation. While some Sisters wash the dishes and clean the refectory,
the rest participate in time for recreation. [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_2010-kansas-city_-ks-066.jpg]The authentic apostolate of joy...
"How good, how delightful it is for all to live together like brothers" (Ps 133,1).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_stroll-in-the-garden.jpg]Recreation is a fraternal community encounter
Which favors sound balance, mutual edification and spiritual support.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_volleyball-beach.jpg]Novices and Postulants playing volleyball
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn43172_0.jpg]12:30 - 7:00PM - Nursing Sisters ready for rest
Time for rest for the Sisters who are going out at night to care for the sick[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn2300.jpg]1:00 PM - Time to study and work...
for the Sisters who are not on night duty.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_imag0013.jpg]Sending out the mail
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01073.jpg]Computer tasks
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_imag0084.jpg]Kitchen work
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01151.jpg]Nursing Students
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn3468.jpg]5:45 PM - In honor of the Blessed Virgin, we recite the Rosary daily in community
“Mary should occupy a special place of preference in our spiritual life as Mother and Teacher.” (Const. 41)[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_sisters-chapel-5-45-pm.jpg]6:15 PM - Personal prayer in silence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
“We must cultivate with lively and persevering interest the spirit of prayer and the practice of it, ever drawing on the genuine sources of christian spirituality, principally on those of Sacred Scripture and the liturgy” (Const. 36)[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn4793.jpg]6:45 PM - Divine Office: Evening Prayer
“The Liturgy of the Hours, public prayer of the Church, associates us with the hymn of praise of Christ to his Father” (Const. 39). [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_2010-pictures-025.jpg]7:00 PM - Time to arise the Sisters who will go out at night to care for the sick
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00973.jpg]7:00 PM - Recreation for the Sisters at home
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01017.jpg]Friendly game of cards
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_2010-kansas-city_-ks-029.jpg]7:30 PM - Dinner. The “Angelus” or “Regina Coeli”...
according to the liturgical season, is recited before blessing the meal. A Sister announces the liturgy for the following day and the Community in which the Mass for vocations will be celebrated and reads a number from our Norms of Application and from a spiritual book or Life of the Saints. Sundays, Thursdays and special feast days we can talk while we have lunch.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc00986.jpg]8:00 PM - Cleaning the refectory and kitchen
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn3296.jpg]8:00 PM - Visit to the Blessed Sacrament
"A living faith in the real presence of Christ in this Sacrament urges us to visit Him frequently, as an expression of gratitude, proof of love and as a sign of adoration" (Const. 38).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01225.jpg]8:00 PM Renewing our vows before the Lord
We visit our Lord in the chapel, entrust Him our patients, renew our vows and implore His grace to serve Him faithfully in our apostolic mission. (N.A. 51).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01227.jpg]Nursing Sisters ready to leave
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01229.jpg]Praying with the families
A family member, a friend of our patients, or a volunteer, come every night to pick up one of the Sisters[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01232.jpg]Leaving the convent for our mission
The Nursing Sisters leave the convent to go out to take care of the sick and the dying.[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_1dh3177-copy.jpg]The Servant of Mary go forth...
with the peaceful joy of one about to serve the Lord... (N.A. 51).[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_1dh3104-copy.jpg]And it is He we serve in the person of our patient
[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_blood-pressure-older-lady.jpg]With Blessed Mother´s attitude at the foot of the Cross...
She teaches us what ours should be near that cross which is the bedside of the sick[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn2227.jpg]8:30 PM - Recreation
Where does that blue piece go?[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dscn2320.jpg]9:00 PM - Examination of Conscience
At this time an examination of conscience or revision of the day is made in silence followed by the penitential rite [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc02829.jpg]9:00 PM - Divine Office - Night Prayer
After we recite the Night Prayer...[img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_dsc01238.jpg]9:15 PM - We conclude our day with a hymn or song to Our Blessed Mother. Grand Silence
"Outside the times and places designated for recreation, silence shall be a constant norm and it takes on special importance in the sleeping quarters, during hours of prayer and after Night Prayer" (N. A. 29). [img src=http://www.sisterservantsofmary.org/wp-content/flagallery/a-day-in-the-life/thumbs/thumbs_stained-glass-virgin.jpg]In honor of our Blessed Mother we sing the Salve every Saturday

A Day in the Life of a Servant of Mary   

From morning to evening, let us praise the Lord

As Servants of Mary, our consecrated life is an uninterrupted act of praise to God;

The Eucharist is the very center of our life which expresses praise and thanksgiving in a very special way. We give praise to the Lord when we pray the Liturgy of the Hours.