Worship & Prayer

The primary work of the community is worship and prayer, which are the central components of our daily life. As we journey together in this life as Sisters of St. Margaret, we deepen our commitment to prayer, inviting others to join us in seeking greater intimacy with God.

The Holy Eucharist: Foundation of our spirituality

Central to the lives of Sisters of St. Margaret is the Holy Eucharist. In the Gospels we learn how Jesus called the Apostles to be with him and sent them out to preach, teach and heal. This two-fold movement characterizes the life of our community. The source of this movement is the Holy Eucharist. It can be likened to the heart, which takes blood, pumps it to the lungs to be cleansed and sends it out to the furthest part of the body to serve.

In the Eucharistic gathering we are purified, strengthened and restored. Then we are sent out to minister in Christ’s name. The Eucharist is a great heart beating at the center of our lives, individually and corporately, drawing us in and sending us out.

The Holy Eucharist: Pattern for our living

The Eucharist provides us with a design for our daily lives. As Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it for sharing, so our lives, offered at the altar at each Eucharistic celebration are taken, blessed, broken and given for the life of the world through our varied ministries. Every Eucharist is missional, sending us out in loving service. As St. Augustine put it centuries ago, “You are to be taken, for you are the Body of Christ. You are to be consecrated, broken and distributed, so that you may be the means of grace and vehicles of eternal charity.”

The Sisters pray the Daily Office from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer consisting of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer (also known as Vespers) and Compline, the last service of the day. Morning Prayer begins with the invitation, “Lord, open our lips.” And the Sisters respond as one, “And our mouths shall proclaim your praise.” And so our day begins with the praise and worship of God. Noonday Prayer is a reminder to us that we are to stop and pray at regular times throughout the day, no matter how important the tasks we are working on appear to be. Evening Prayer helps us to invite the coming of evening as the day draws to a close. Compline, the last service of the day, provides the opportunity for self-examination, corporate confession and thanksgiving for the blessings of the day that has passed and for a peaceful night. 

Our daily worship schedule can be found on the Worship Schedule page. Please note that Monday is the community Sabbath day; no Offices are held and the Convent is closed to visitors and guests. All of our services on Tuesdays through Sundays are open to the public and to guests. If you would like to join us, please call us and confirm the times, as occasionally the schedule may change. There are also times during the year when the Convent is closed to guests and visitors.

More information about our life of prayer can be found on the Prayer page.

The Sisters of St. Margaret are an Episcopal Religious Order of women called to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through our worship and work, prayer and common life. Our commitment to God and to one another is expressed through vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience.We invite you to learn more about our daily life, our worship and our mission.