The Church's Liturgy expresses life in the heart of Christ. And so, the Benedictine nuns celebrate Mass daily, and the Liturgy of the Hours seven times daily. The Liturgy of the Hours is the primary work of the community.
In the Rule of St Benedict, first written in Latin, the name given to the Liturgy of the Hours is 'Opus Dei' meaning 'Work of God'.
Hence it is the first WORK of the community within the Universal Church. When a Benedictine nun makes her solemn vows the chart of Profession binds her to a Ministry of Prayer and Worship at the heart of the Church.
The Liturgy of the Hours (the Work of God) is to be pre- ferred above all other works and all other activities so these take a secondary place in the life of a Benedictine. Because the Liturgy is the principal work. there is necessary preparation before and after an Hour of the Office - preparation in prayer and the organization of the Liturgy Books, preparation of readings and generally taking the time to prepare one's heart for this vital work of the Church.
The Eucharist, the summit and source of all Catholic life, is also the summit and source of the life of each individual nun and of the community as a whole.
The community of Jamberoo Abbey take very seriously the teaching of the Church to 'become the Eucharist we receive' by becoming body broken and blood poured out for others. First of all in prayer at the heart of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours and secondly by living Eucharist within one's community and within the ministry of prayer and worship as it touches the lives of guests who come to the Abbey for retreats and for solitude.
The Benedictine nuns believe that their authentic living of Eucharist touches the lives of people throughout the world and that this authentic living changes the world more and more for the good of all.