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Gethsemani, as part of the Roman Catholic Cistercian Order of
the Strict Observance (OSCO), follows the Rule of St Benedict
as interpreted by its own
Constitutions and Statutes. It is a monastery under the rule of an Abbot.
The Benedictine motto Ora et Labora is stamped on every box of fruitcake
that goes out of the monastery. In English, the phrase means "Work and Pray," two
imperatives. These are the two broad categories under which most of our activities
fall.
Under prayer we would find the daily mass, the centerpiece of the day,
the recitation of the psalms through our daily offices, lectio divina,
or scriptural reading, and private prayer.
Our work is manual labor for the most part. We support ourselves by making fruitcake,
fudge and cheese. In addition, the monks take turns with housekeeping chores to
keep the abbey clean. There is some internal work as well, cooking, laundry and so
forth. Those in formation will attend regular classes.
The OCSO does not engage in traditional parish work.
For more on prayer, click here.
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