The Conventual Sisters of St. Dominic rise in the early morning (usually around 5-45) and gather in the Chapel where, after reciting the Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas in praise of the Blessed Sacrament, "O Sacrum Convivium", they sing the Hours of Matins and Lauds of the Divine Office. Their charism, which combines both contemplation and active preaching, is reflected and symbolised in the graceful gestures which make up the traditional Dominican liturgical style.

After this Office, which may take around three-quarters of an hour, there is a half-hour of silence for Mental Prayer, a privileged time of communion with God, which flows out of the Prayer of the Church and into the great high point of the day - the Mass.

After Mass, the sisters take a simple breakfast in common. They listen in silence, as one of the sisters reads from a Catholic paper, magazine or document.

This is followed by a few hours of apostolic work and/or study interspersed with some periods of private prayer and spiritual reading. Lunch is at 1-00pm - a snack-type meal, also taken in silence, but more informally and with sacred music.

At 1-30 the sisters chant the Hour of Sext and spend a period of time in Lectio Divina (spiritual reading from Scripture), then they may rest or recreate for about half an hour, after which they move off to study, work or private prayer. Silence is usually observed in the Convent to create the right atmosphere for the study and prayer which are so integral to our life.

The bell summons the community to Vespers at 5-10. This is always sung, and is usually followed by the Rosary recited in common and sometimes in procession.

The main meal, which has been prepared by one or another of the sisters, is preceded by a procession with prayers for the dead and ceremonial grace sung in Latin. The food is quite simple - a main course and fruit. Abstinence from meat is observed on Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Fridays there is a special fast with no main meal taken. During the meal we listen in silence to readings from the Gospel, from the Constitutions of the Community and to tapes and books on religious themes. After the meal the sisters recreate for an hour or so,doing crafts or just enjoying one another's company and conversation. Sometimes they listen to classical music, and on feast-days they may watch a cultural or religious video.