Monks should diligently cultivate silence at all times, but especially at night. Accordingly, this will always be the arrangement whether for fast days or for ordinary days. When there are two meals, all the monks will sit together immediately after rising from supper. Someone should read from the Conferences, or the Lives of the Fathers or at any rate something else that will benefit the hearers, but not the Heptateuch or the Books of Kings, because it will not be good for those of weak understanding to hear these writings at that hour; they should be read at other times.
On fast days there is to be a short interval between Vespers and the reading of the Conferences, as we have indicated. Then let four or five pages be read, or as many as time permits. This reading period will allow for all to come together, in case any were engaged in assigned tasks. When all have assembled, they should pray Compline; and on leaving Compline, no one will be permitted to speak further. If anyone if found to transgress this rule of silence, he must be subjected to severe punishment, except on occasions when guests require attention or the abbot wishes to give someone a command, but even this is to be done with the utmost seriousness and proper restraint.
We could easily transform the first sentence of this chapter simply by replacing Monks with Lay Cistercians. Let's try that: "Lay Cistercians should diligently cultivate silence at all times, but especially at night." There is a certain rightness to the sound of that. Let's not stop there, "Lay Cistercians should read from the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers/Mothers."
It appears that this chapter is as workable for us as it is for the monks and nuns. We don't assemble to pray Compline, but that doesn't change the fact that after Compline no more words need to be said. I admit that I am a morning person, but I don't get into conversations until after the Office of Readings and Lauds have been said. Granted, I am the only one awake in my house at that point, but even when with others, I keep the silence.
The hours between Compline and the beginning of the day after Lauds are holy to the Lord. I'm sure there is a scripture to back that up, but I can't think of it right now. Think of Psalm 134
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,Part of the attraction of Cistercian life to us is how they seem to be Temple attendants. When the lights come on at 3:00 a.m. in the Church, most of the monks are all already in place, and ready to go. It gives one the feeling that some of them might have been there all night. The flickering Sanctuary Lamp at the far end reminds us that God has been present throughout the night whether or not we knew it, cared, or sat in awe before the Sacred Presence, is present now, and will be present forever.
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord.
May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
The night belongs to the Lord.
May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.
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