Worship
Saint Benedict’s Monastery
Liturgy of the Hours occurs in the Oratory, which is located in the lower level of the Gathering Place.
Morning Prayer
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.*
Saturday and Sunday: 8:15 a.m.
*The front doors of Saint Benedict’s Monastery open at 8 a.m. Guests who would like to join us for Morning Prayer at 7 a.m. on weekdays may do so by making arrangements with an individual sister.
Midday Prayer
Monday–Friday: 11:30 a.m.
Evening Prayer
Monday: 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 5 p.m.
Thursday: 7 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: 5 p.m.
Vigil
Saturday: 7 p.m.
Saint Scholastica Convent
Liturgy of the Hours occurs in the Saint Scholastica Convent Chapel.
Morning Prayer
Daily: 8 a.m.
Midday Prayer
Monday: 11:45 a.m.
Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.
Friday: 11:45 a.m.
Evening Prayer
Daily: 4:30 p.m.
What Is the Liturgy Of The Hours?
The primary work of Benedictine monastics is prayer—the “work of God,” as the Rule of Benedict calls it. It is the daily rhythm of public and private prayer that provides the structure and defining character of Benedictine life. As Jesus promised, God is present in the community gathered for prayer, and the awareness of that Presence becomes the integrating force in all dimensions of monastic life and ministry.
In addition to periods of private prayer and lectio divina (meditative reading of Scripture), the sisters meet together to pray the Liturgy of the Hours morning, noon, and evening. This ancient form of Christian worship consists of hymns, psalms, other passages from Scripture and Christian writings and prayers, interspersed with periods of silent reflection. Through patterned word, music, gesture, and silence, we give voice to all creation in praise of God.
Music At The Monastery
Schola
“Schola” is short for Schola Cantorum, the Latin term for a school or group of people who join together to learn and sing ecclesial chant, the song of the church. It is a choir dedicated to the ancient chant tradition, although that’s not the only music they sing. The schola is an integral part of prayer life at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and provides music leadership, as well as inspiration and encouragement to the gathered assembly.
Delores Dufner, OSB
Sister Delores Dufner is a nationally renowned hymn writer. She holds master’s degrees in liturgical music from St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind., and in liturgical studies from Notre Dame, Ind. She is currently a member of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, the National Pastoral Musicians (NPM), the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Monastic Worship Forum.
S. Delores was a school music teacher, private piano and organ instructor, and parish organist/choir director for 12 years. She served as the monastery’s liturgy coordinator for six years, director of the St. Cloud Diocesan Office of Worship for 15 years, and as a liturgical music consultant in the Diocese of Ballarat, Australia, for 15 months. Since then, she has been writing liturgical, scripture-based hymn and song texts which are found in many Christian hymnals. Her hymns have been published in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and China, and she has received numerous awards for her work.
S. Delores has received 64 commissions to write hymn lyrics for special occasions or needs, and her lyrics are the basis of over 80 choral octavos. She has five published hymn collections:
- Sing a New Church, 48 hymns (Oregon Catholic Press, 1994)
- The Glimmer of Glory in Song, 79 hymns (GIA Publications, 2004)
- And Every Breath, a Song, 72 hymns (GIA Publications, 2011)
- Criers of Splendor, 56 hymns (GIA Publications, 2016)
- Never Silent in Your Praise, 34 hymns (GIA Publications, 2023)
There are two indexes available to help you find specific hymns with ease:
Delores has also received multiple awards for her work:
- 2002: Spirit and Truth Award from the Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy in recognition of significant contributions made to pastoral liturgy
- 2005: Lawrence Heiman Citation from St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind., for contributions to liturgical music
- 2013: Named a Fellow of The Hymn Society (FHS) in the United States and Canada
- 2014: Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians
- 2017: Christus Rex Award from Valparaiso University’s Institute of Liturgical Studies for lifelong commitment to liturgical renewal
For more information, contact:
Delores Dufner, OSB
Hymn Writer
(320) 363-7176
ddufner@csbsju.edu
