Shortly after dinner, the sisters end the day by going to the chapel for the last joint prayer of their day, the Office of Compline. The community then keeps the “great silence” until after Morning Prayer the Eucharist the next day. I certainly like to think that I keep the silence. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. There’s no TV blaring or CD’s playing. No one is walking about the house.
But does my blogging and grading papers interfere with keeping the silence? Is it in keeping with the same spirit of the great silence? I wonder. I know that sometimes one or more of the sisters works into the night. But I don’t know if this is a “normal” thing or not.
The sisters do not strike me as being overly “rule bound”. I know. That’s hilarious! What part of “convent” don’t I understand?! But really. These Franciscans are quite flexible and understanding. The spirit of St. Francis House seems to be that the “spirit” is more important than one being forced to obey the letter of the law under some medieval penalty of doing some penance or other.
Years ago (about 20!) when I first visited the sisters here I came downstairs happy as a lark. I cheerily greeted everyone. “Hi Sister X! Good morning Sister Y!” They nodded — silently. After the third “silent” response it sunk in! Ooops!
Off to grade some more papers. I shall not mutter under my breath.