When mass was over we proceeded in our usual order to the eating-room
to breakfast, practising the same forms which I have described at
dinner. Having made our meal in silence, we repeated the litanies of
the "holy name of Jesus" as we proceeded to the community-room; and
such as had not finished them on their arrival, threw themselves upon
their knees, and remained there until they had gone through with them,
and then kissing the floor, rose again.
At nine o'clock commenced the lecture, which was read by a nun
appointed to perform that duty that day; all the rest of us in the room
being engaged in work.
The nuns were at this time distributed in different community-rooms, at
different kinds of work, and in each were listening to a lecture. This
exercise continued until ten o'clock, when the recreation-bell rang. We
still continued our work, but the nuns began to converse with each
other, on subjects permitted by the rules in the hearing of the old
nuns, one of whom was seated in each of the groups.
At half-past ten the silence bell rang, and then conversation instantly
ceased, and the recitation of some Latin prayers commenced, which
continued half an hour.
At eleven o'clock the dinner-bell rang, and then we proceeded to the
dining-room, and went through the forms and ceremonies of the preceding
day. We proceeded two by two. The old nun who had the command of us,
clapped her hands as the first couple reached the door, when we
stopped. The first two dipped their fingers into the font, touched the
holy water to the breast, forehead, and each side, thus forming a
cross, said, "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen,"
and then walked on to the dining-room, repeating the litanies. The rest
followed their example. On reaching the door the couples divided, and
the two rows of nuns marching up, stopped and faced the table against
their plates. There we stood, repeating the close of the litany aloud.
The old nun then pronounced
"BENEDICITE,"
and we sat down. One of our number began to read a lecture, which
continued during the whole meal: she stays to eat after the rest have
retired. When we had dined, each of us folded up her napkin, and again
folded her hands. The old nun then repeated a short prayer in French,
and stepping aside from the head of the table, let us pass out as we
came in. Each of us bowed in passing the little chapel near the door,
which is a glass case, containing a waxen figure of the infant Jesus.
When we reached the community-room we took our places in rows, and
kneeled upon the floor, while a nun read aloud, "Douleurs de notre
Sainte Marie" (the sorrows of our holy Mary.) At the end of each verse
we responded "Ave Maria." We then repeated again the litanies of the
Providences, and the
"BENIS," &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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