Morning and Evening Prayers

Praying-Worshiping-Growing

A vibrant liturgical prayer life is observed at St. Lawrence.

The center of the liturgical prayer life of the school is the Sunday Mass at which the Rector usually presides. Other Capuchins on campus or visiting priests or bishops will often concelebrate or preside. In addition, the school community gathers for Mass on Wednesday evening. On Friday morning, between breakfast and the start of classes, Mass is offered for the intentions of the countless benefactors who make St. Lawrence Seminary possible.

During the school week, our Rector leads the Morning Prayer. Morning Prayer is a time for the students to come together after breakfast as a community and set aside time to pray. We are thankful for what each day brings and pray for each others’ needs and those of our alumni, benefactors, staff and faculty. Prayer, song and scripture are all an integral part of this time.

A variety of forms for Evening Prayer are observed throughout the week. On Sunday a senior presides at Solemn Vespers. On Mondays, the students usually gather to pray as a fraternity, or pray together as a class followed by a class meeting. Otherwise, the student body prays together as a community. The juniors preside at Vespers on Tuesday evening. Thursday’s Evening Prayer coincides with a music assembly in which the students are introduced to new or seasonal liturgical music. Friday Evening Prayer is private. Students are encouraged to make a visit to the Chapel. On Saturdays, Evening Prayer is led by one of the fraternities.

Students are offered the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Wednesday evening with the Seminary’s Confessor. In addition, each class participates in a reconciliation service with individual confession during Advent and Lent.