Our Life - Prayer and Ministry

The Holy Spirit never ceases to call into existence forms of Religious Life that respond to the needs of the times. So it has been for centuries, as when the founders of the great Orders such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites and others established "Lay" or "Third" Orders within their foundations for those, both married and single, men and women, who had a vocation to the Religious Life but were unable to leave the world to live in a convent or monastery. Therefore, The Servants of the Sacred Cross, while not part of a larger Order, follows in the tradition and concept of the historic Lay Orders.

The Servants of the Sacred Cross are called to take up their cross and follow Christ in a life of prayer and service. Sisters are both married and single, living and working in their own homes and communities under Vows of Simplicity, Purity, and Obedience.

 

Some Sisters carry out a variety of active ministries in their parishes and local communities. Other Sisters are called to a more contemplative expression of service in a life of solitude and prayerful intercession. The prayer of each Sister must be, "Lord Jesus, as it would please you, bring me someone today whom I can serve."


The Sisters gather together once each year for a Retreat and Chapter meetings. 

Single or widowed women called to live "in community" may, after suitable discernment, test their vocation to live within Sacred Cross Convent, a semi-contemplative house of the Community established in Nova Scotia, Canada. Sisters within the convent profess Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in a full expression of the Evangelical Counsels. Their day is one which incorporates an ebb and flow of prayer, silence, spiritual reading and meditation balanced with adequate rest and recreation.


The Horarium of Sacred Cross Convent

5:30 AM - Rise (Silence)
6:15 AM - Mattins
7:00 AM - Breakfast (eaten in silence)
9:00 AM - Mass
9:30 - 10:30 AM - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
10:30 AM - Terce said privately after Adoration
Errands outside of convent, if needed, following Terce
12:00 PM - Sext and Rosary
12:30 PM - Lunch (talking meal)
1:00 - 3:00 PM - Work
3:00 PM - None
3:15 - 5:00 PM - Personal prayer, spiritual reading, study (Silence)
5:00 PM - Evensong
5:30 PM - Supper (talking meal)
6:00 PM - Recreation and free time
7:30 PM - Meditation in chapel
8:00 PM - Compline

The Great Silence is observed until after Breakfast. On Sundays, a more relaxed schedule is kept whereby, after Mass, the Little Hours are not prayed and Sisters are permitted free time, praying Evensong privately.
" I tell you that you have more to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures. "
(Saint John Vianney)

Patrons


Being dedicated to the Cross of Christ, the Community holds in particular honour, as patron saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, remembering them in their place on Calvary, at the foot of the Cross.

In their ministry of prayer for priests, the Community honours Saint John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests. Saint Athanasius is held as patron in their prayer for the orthodoxy and unity of the Universal Church.
   
 

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