Exploring Benedictine monks’ prayer

The monks of St. Bede Abbey join in prayer together.

As you ask yourself “how do I become a monk,” it’s also important to ask what life as a monk entails.

Prayer is central to all people in the church. For Benedictine monks, it takes a particular form, including both structured and personal prayer as a means of deepening one’s relationship with God.

Certain prayers may differ across Benedictine monastic communities, like our monastery in Illinois. But commonly, these are key practices that all monks share, rooted in the teachings of St. Benedict.

The Liturgy of the Hours

The Liturgy of the Hours has been practiced in the Church for a long time, often under many different names. Some refer to the practice as the Canonical Hours, the Divine Office (from the Latin officium) or the Liturgy of the Hours, with many preferring the latter. Very often, a book called a “breviary” will have some or all of the Liturgy of the Hours in it. The Liturgy of Hours is a way to consecrate the whole day to the Lord’s service and to his grace. Specific times are set aside during the night and the day to remind one of God’s presence.

The Liturgy of the Hours is the cornerstone of a Benedictine monk’s prayer. Monks have been observing the Liturgy of the Hours since the third century. While largely structured around the Psalms, the Liturgy of the Hours also includes hymns, Scriptures and prayers of intercession. Prayers are often sung or chanted, traditionally in a Gregorian chant to enhance contemplation and unity.

The Liturgy of the Hours includes seven daily prayer times. A first instance is Vigils and typically begins in the middle of the night, around 2 AM. A full Vigil service has 12 psalms, a long Scripture lesson and a reading. If a monastic community is observing Vigils, a monk may remain in the church or return to their private room for prayer or reflection before breakfast.

The next prayer, Lauds begin at dawn, with prayers of thanksgiving for the new day. Terce is performed mid-morning, typically around 9 AM to invoke the Holy Spirit for strength in work. Sext is performed around noon, as a pause in the day to refocus on God. None happens around mid-afternoon to ask for perseverance in the day’s final hours. Around sunset, monks pray Vespers as gratitude for the day and a reflection on God’s blessings. And before bed, there is Compline, in which monks entrust the night to God, seeking peace and protection.

Throughout the Liturgy of the Hours, Benedictine monks pray the entire Book of Psalms, completing all 150 psalms in a regular cycle. Depending on the monastery's tradition, this typically takes a week or two. The psalms act as both praise and lament, allowing the monks to find union in the joys and struggles of the world.

Hear from Abbot Michael and Father Gregory discuss the prayer schedule at St. Bede Abbey.

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase which means “divine reading.” Lectio divina is a slow, meditative and deliberate reading of Scripture that encourages a monk the deeply engage with the Word of God. This is not an intellectual reading of the Bible, but rather an invitation to encounter God personally through the Scripture. This intimate form of monks’ prayer moves the monk to a deeper communion with the Lord.

Monks will pray the Lectio Divina daily, as it fits in with their schedules. Typically, this is after morning prayer or during a designated period.

Benedictine monks adhere to four steps of the Lectio Divina. The first, Lectio, refers to a reading of the text. A monk will choose a short passage and read it slowly and attentively, allowing the words to settle in their mind. They may even note if a particular word or phrase stands out.

Meditatio involves meditation on the text, asking the question "What is God saying to me?" A monk will reflect on the word or phrase that caught their attention and consider how it applies to their life. By repeating it silently, a monk allows the words to shape his own thoughts.

Oratio is the process of praying over the reading. The monk speaks to God about what they have read, perhaps as a question, a request or simply sharing their thoughts. This is where the monk engages in personal conversation with God.

Finally, Contemplatio is the act of contemplating their relationship with God. The monk moves beyond their own thoughts to sit in silent presence with God, without needing to analyze or speak. Contemplatio is about trusting that God is working alongside the monk.

Hear from Father Dominic about Lectio Divina.

Personal prayer

In addition to the structured prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, and the deliberateness of Lectio Divina, Benedictine monks will also engage in personal prayer on their own. Monks embrace silence as a means of listening to God—whether in their private rooms, a quiet garden or monastery chapel. This is an opportunity to sit in stillness and ponder the presence of God, free from distraction. 

Some may also use short, repetitive prayers as a means of personal monk’s prayer. For example, a monk may say "Come, Holy Spirit" throughout the day to remain aware of God's presence.

Mass and the Eucharist

The Mass and the Eucharist serve as the central act of worship for a Benedictine monk. Most Benedictine communities, including St. Bede’s, celebrate Mass daily. For monks, Mass is not just a ritual, but a means of deeply encountering Christ and reinforcing a commitment to seek God. In turn, the Eucharist is a profound communion with Christ, one that strengthens a monk's faith and deepens his spiritual journey. After receiving the Eucharist, a monk will spend time in silent thanksgiving, meditating on Christ's presence. Many communities will also practice Eucharistic Adoration, praying before the Blessed Sacrament in silence.

Monks’ prayer as work

"Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for holy reading." (The Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 48)

You may have encountered the Benedictine motto of ora et labora (prayer and work). For Benedictine monks, prayer and work are not separate activities. Work itself is a form of prayer and glorifying God by living out one's monastic vocation.

This could be manual labor, such as gardening or maintenance. It may also be the intellectual work of teaching or writing. Benedictines are also known for their hospitality and service, another form that prayer may take.

Whatever the work, a monk performs it with intention and mindfulness of God's presence. Monasteries like St. Bede’s observe silence during work as a means of allowing for an inner state of prayer. Finally, Benedictine monks dedicate each task to God so that even an ordinary task can be an act of worship.

Learn more about ora et labora and the role it plays in the Benedictine monastic vows.

As you learn more about monastic life at our monastery in Illinois, you may feel a strong call to continue your journey and learn more about how to become a monk. We encourage you to get in touch with St. Bede Abbey by submitting a form at this link.