Benedictine Days of Prayer 2008 and 2009
September 5--Praying in Ordinary Time I: We celebrate Jesus, his teaching, and his miracles, and pray to make them part of our lives.
October 24--Praying the Psalms of the Church: Saint Benedict wanted his monks to pray all 150 psalms every week. Join the monastery as it prays the psalms and learn what they can mean for your prayer life.
November 21--Praying in Advent: The Church awaits in the December darkness the return of the Lord Christ. We pray to let go of this world in order to receive the New Heavens and the New Earth he brings.
January 9--Praying at Christmas Time: We pray to receive the Child of Bethlehem and become part of his peace.
February 13--Praying in Ordinary Time II: Jesus begins to manifest himself as teacher and healer. We pray to hear and to follow him
March 13--Praying in Lent: Jesus faces contradiction and conflict. We pray to be faithful in joining him in his strubble, suffering, and death.
April 17--Praying into the Risen Christ: Jesus is risen and lives bodily in the presence of God. Our spirituality now includes our body, which Jesus has also redeemed.
May 15--Praying during Easter Time: Jesus appears to us, showing us his wounds and his glory. We listen to him anew, accept his spirit, his life, and his mission into our lives.
About the Benedictine Day of Prayer
What is a Benedictine Day of Prayer?
It's a day to pray — a time and space set apart for spiritual renewal.
Who may participate?
We welcome men and women of all faiths who want to come and pray with us. Participants are asked to bring their Bibles.
What does it cost?
Program fee for the Day of Prayer is $50 and includes breakfast, lunch, refreshment breaks, program, facilities and materials. Pay in advance or on the day of the program. Make checks payable to "Spiritual Life Program." Gift certificates are available. If you need financial help to participate in the Benedictine Day of Prayer, please inquire about sponsorship assistance when you register.
What happens on this "Day?"
At 6:45 a.m. a monk will meet you in the back of the abbey church and welcome you to Morning Prayer with the monastic community. Just park near the church and come inside.
After breakfast and check-in, one of the monks gives a spiritual conference, followed by lectio divina, a practice dear to the heart of Saint Benedict. Substantial time is devoted to private prayer and silent reflection, plus optional prayer experiences. The formal retreat program ends at 3:30 p.m.
Participants agree that monastic Morning Prayer is the perfect beginning of a Benedictine Day of Prayer. In terms of travel, some people prefer to drive from as far away as the Twin Cities in time for Morning Prayer. Some prefer to come the night before, and that can be arranged.
How do I arrange for overnight accommodation?
Contact the Guestmaster by e-mail or phone 320-363-2573 for availability and cost of a room. Room rates vary according to the size of the room in the Abbey Guesthouse.
What can I do to add to my Day of Prayer at the Abbey?
First, you may choose to stay through the afternoon and evening, visiting campus sites like the Art Center, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, The Liturgical Press, the SJU Bookstore, the Arboretum and woods, and more. Additional opportunities:
| 3:30 p.m. |
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Personal time; |
| 5:00 p.m. |
Mass with the monks; |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Monastic Evening Prayer. |
Meals in addition to Friday breakfast and lunch may be purchased in the Abbey Guesthouse dining room.
Second, you may extend your spiritual experience into the weekend with an individual retreat, private or directed. Just tell us when you register.
How do I get to Saint John's Abbey?
Saint John's is located approximately 12 miles west of Saint Cloud on I-94 at Exit 156. See Location and Maps.
How do I register?
You may register by e-mail or phone. Specify the date you choose, and include name, postal address, phone number(s) for each participant. You can also register online by submitting the Day of Prayer Registration Form.
How to contact us
To communicate with either of the offices referred to on this website, just write, phone or e-mail us at the appropriate address as listed in the right column at the top of this page.
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