As an Urban Missionary of Our Lady of Hope I promise to do two things, one is to pray and the other is to do a small act of charity every day. As the author of the Cloud of Unknowing tells us, “All things in moderation except prayer, pray always.” One of our formal prayer formats is to do a retreat annually. So we gather together to pray as a community of like-minded people.
We gather at Saint Scholastica Priory Saint Mary Monastery in Petersham MA. Our retreat format follows the liturgy of the hours used by the monks of Saint Mary Monastery and the sisters of Saint Scholastica Priory. We join in with them at Mass and Terce at 9:30 A.M.. At 1:00 P.M. for Sext, 3:00 P.M. for None, and if possible, at 6:00 P.M. for Vespers and at 8:00 p.m. for Compline.
When we are not at prayer we gather together for lunch, community and discussion. This year we put aside our planned agenda and spent most of the time discussing what we can do to increase the number of Urban Missionaries. Currently we are at eight. The main purpose of our existence is to find couples and individuals who join us in doing daily works of mercy and unite their prayers with the rest of the community. Everything else we do is either to support others in some way or generate monies to support our works.
Hopefully you will start to see a larger presence on social media and our very own YouTube Channel, HOPEFULLY!