The reception of guests
Saint Benedict does not foresee for his monks either apostolate or activity of spiritual direction. He plans however that the guesthouse may welcome priests and those who so desire to stay at the monastery and lead for a few days the same life of prayer and of work as that of the monks. the church is open to visitors during the monastic services. While waiting for the guesthouse to be built, the community receives priests and retreatants in limited number. Please contact the brother Guestmaster at bratr.hostitel@novydvur.cz.
It is not possible to visit the inside of the monastery. A modest exposition and a giftshop of monastic products is at the disposition of visitors.
Here is the schedule of a monastic day:
With a few variations according to the season, the monks get up at 3:00 a.m.
At 3:15, the night office, or Matins. It lasts about an hour, followed by half hour of prayer in silence.
From 5:00 to 6:15, reading (or lectio divina), or also for some...rest!
At 6:15, every other day, lecture in the chapter room where the Father Abbot commentates the Rule of Saint Benedict, applying it to the current needs and situations.
At 6:30, the service of Lauds – which is the prayer of the start of the day – and Mass.
From 8:00 to 9:00, a time of prayer or reading; some brothers begin already their work.
At 9:00, the service of the middle of the morning, called Terce, then for all, priests and non-priests alike, work.
At 12:00, service of the middle of the day, called Sext; then lunch followed by a time of rest, prayer or reading.
At 2:00 p.m., service of the beginning of the afternoon, or None.
At 2:15, manual work.
At 5:30, service of Vespers followed by a time of prayer in community and then dinner.
Around 7:10 p.m., the community reunites less formally than for the morning chapter for a spiritual reading listened to together: the “Reading of Compline;” or, if not this, then the peeling of vegetables: the “Portion;” or else a singing class.
At 7:30, the service of the beginning of the night or “Compline,” ended by the solemn chant of the Salve Regina.
Klášter Matky Boží v Novém Dvoře
Dobrá Voda 20, 364 01 Toužim
Fax 00420 353 300 521
email@novydvur.cz