As in all Benedictine houses, the three foundation stones of the life are prayer, lectio divina and manual work. Our main work is the Divine Office and we meet together in the monastic choir six times each day to praise God in the name of all creation and to intercede for the needs of the world.

Our prayer is also the personal, silent times which each one spends in God's presence, the nature of which will vary from person to person, day to day, minute to minute, sometimes wondrous and wordless, sometimes seemingly useless but carried out with the fidelity and love which can turn dross into gold dust and which can, as successive Popes have proclaimed, accomplish more in the world than can be dreamed of.

Lectio Divina is sometimes rendered as "meditative reading". It is not the quick skimming through a book as with a thriller, eager to reach the climax; it is the savouring of Holy Scripture or, perhaps, of a religious work - allowing the Spirit to act as one reads, concentrating not just with the mind but with the heart. It is coming closer to God, inviting Him into all the crevices of life, making it instinctive that our first thoughts in all circumstances should be of Him.

Manual work is - manual work! It takes many forms, depending on the needs of the community, the circumstances of the place. At Fernham, there are always the daily chores, washing dishes, cleaning, laundry, there are meals to be cooked, the sacristy to work in, our sick sisters to be cared for - a specially treasured job and one to which St. Benedict gives especial attention - gardens to be tended, business to be carried out and, for some, the other tasks detailed below.

Monastic enclosure is observed - there is no grille but the nuns do not go outside the grounds for other than medical reasons or to attend to essential business. This does not mean that they do not welcome others amongst them. The Retreat House is a haven for many and guests are welcomed here throughout the year.

Catechetical work is carried out mainly by correspondence but, if and when the need should arise, groups or individuals may receive instruction at the Priory. Several of the community are qualified in this way and from within the monastery walls make an invaluable contribution to this great work. Others, according to their talents, engage in transcription and translation work, making their practical contribution to the wider work of the Church.

For those who are in their early years of monastic formation there are frequent talks, from those assigned to the charge, on the Holy Rule and on all aspects of monasticism and spirituality. Depending on an individual's background and capacity, study courses by correspondence may be arranged. Personal growth of the heart is looked for. One is not merely learning lessons by rote - one is becoming wholly the person God has created. This is the lifelong task of monasticism but the seeds are sown in these early days and one looks to see that the soil is fertile.

"...... on account of the great value of silence, let leave to speak be seldom granted to observant disciples, even though it be for good, holy and edifying conversations; for it is written In much speaking thou shalt not escape sin, .....". The solemn night silence stretches from Compline to the end of Lauds and may not be broken for other than extreme need. A period of silence is observed during the day and at all times, save those periods set aside for recreation, unnecessary talk should be avoided.

"The monastery should, if possible, be so arranged that all necessary things, such as water, mill, garden, and various crafts may be within the enclosure, so that the monks may not be compelled to wander outside it, for that is not at all expedient for their souls." Enclosure, like silence, is not a frustrating restriction - it is a treasure, to be cherished, for it makes easier the direction of one's thought and mind and heart to God alone without the distractions which otherwise prevail.

There is a balance in all things: it would be unusual today to avoid all sources of news; to know about the troubles of the world can help to focus one's life and prayer and give new intensity. Such things can be good: they are not necessary. If they know nothing of the latest disaster or atrocity, St Benedict's followers today are still attuned to it on a wavelength which even the most sophisticated technology will not detect, still dedicated by their vows, their consecration, to combat evil in all its guises, to be, as some say, 'the lightning conductor of the world' - a bridge between God and His creation so that His love and mercy may pour forth to heal and draw all to Himself.