The structure of the monastic day represents a profound attitude toward all human activity. Every action was intended to be approached in a manner that quite simply glorified God. The three vows required of a monk, namely ongoing conversion of life, obedience to the Rule and abbot, and finally stability – that is, a commitment to persevere in the community until death – were the means to achieve this posture of receptivity to God’s grace at every moment in the lifelong journey of holiness. All of life was meant to be an offering, so “that God might be glorified in all things.” The activities that made up the day were meant to mutually nourish each other, and ultimately they were not separate silos.

Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western monasticism, teaches us to fuse prayer and work.