Prayer

Prayer is integral to the life of the Sisters of St. Margaret. The Eucharist, the Daily Office, and times for personal prayer are at the heart of our lives. Our Founder, the Rev. Dr. John Mason Neale, put it this way, “Without prayer you can no more lead this life than a living being can exist without air.” In addition to the Eucharist and the Daily Office, the Sisters normally spend at least one hour and a half in personal prayer and meditation, Scripture reading and study, and intercessory prayer. We have one full day per month as a retreat day, spending it in silence and prayer. We also have one week per year as a long retreat, which allows us to enter much more deeply into our relationship with God.

The total offering of our whole selves is our prayer. We constantly renew our commitment to spiritual growth, to “plumb the depths” of what is possible in prayer, and then to share what we have learned with others. Every poll that has been taken of those who call themselves “seekers” show that they are looking for two things: community and “spirituality.” We know that “spirituality” is just another name for greater intimacy with God, and “community” means connecting with others that share some of the same values and who are willing to risk a commitment to intimacy.The community is always ready to share its life with those who seek to come closer to God. As we journey together as Sisters of St. Margaret, we deepen our commitments to prayer and invite others to join us.

One of the ways in which we cultivate a prayerful atmosphere is to observe periods of time and locations of silence. The Sisters observe the Great Silence from 9:00 p.m. until after the community’s breakfast the next morning. This holy time offers one an opportunity for contemplation, refreshment, rest and renewal. In addition, certain areas of the convent are designated as silent spaces to maintain a prayerful atmosphere. Most meals are taken in silence for the same reason. This assists our guests to enter more deeply into their private meditations, studies or prayers.

We invite you to visit us to see this life of prayer and to experience it for yourself.

Please send your confidential prayer requests to the Sisters at:  prayerrequests@ssmbos.org