Compline at New Melleray Abbey

"Imagine, if you will, the end of a long summer day at the monastery. The sparrows outside the open windows are arguing about the highest perch in the arbor vitae for the night; the sun is glowing orange just below the horizon of cornfields; the first stars are appearing in the deepening blue in the East. The monks in their long white robes, one by one, enter, bow deeply to the sanctuary, and find their way to their choir stall. Some kneel; some stand leaning against the choir stall listening to the birds chatter. In the back of the old limestone church, visitors sit quietly...waiting to join in this ancient form of night prayers.

"In a few minutes, the long choir stalls are filled, and there seems to be a moment of hesitation. Then the bell sounds sharply in the dusk, marking the transition from the work of the day to the long silence of the night."

COMPLINE

"As the last echoes of the Salve Regina drift away, the monks move from their choir stalls two by two up the middle of the church, stopping for a moment to bow before the Abbot who blesses them with holy water. The guests follow after and receive the Abbot's blessing before retiring for the evening.

"As you prepare for bed this evening, remember the words of the psalm: Since he clings to me in love, I will free him; protect him for he knows my name. When he calls I shall answer: "I am with you." I will save him in distress and give him glory.

"Good night, and God bless you."

--Words from the New Melleray Abbey website:
http://www.newmelleray.org

NOTE: Compline is the last office of the Liturgy of the Hours, sung just before retiring for the night. At New Melleray Abbey, it is sung at 7:30 PM. It is sung in the chapel without lights, so in the winter, it is dark except for the tabernacle candle and minimal lights where visitors and retreatants sit. The pictures of candles here are only for the purpose of indicating darkness without showing a black screen.

Category:

Music

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• Compline
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• Trappist
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[MBenoit1964]

The guitar is horrible! It just does not work here!

[sabin615]

@MBenoit1964 Thanks for sharing your opinion. I disagree, of course. :)

[wjayhale]

As a Benedictine, I love the chant in the Gregorian form, but it can be complicated and difficult to chant. The use of a musical instrument to help the community stay on pitch is, IMHO, an act of fraternal charity. That way, everyone can more fully participate in the corporate prayer of the office. No one is left out. Peace.....Jordan OSB

[wjayhale]

They way an office is sung/prayed will vary from house to house depending on the talents of the monks and the personality of the community. Every Trappist monastery will do this office somewhat differently. The monks at Mt. Savior use a harp at compline. Since the class distinction was done away with (choir and lay religous), there is no longer an emphasis on being able to sing (stay on pitch). Many communities use some supportive musical accompaniment such as organ or guitar.

[RGconductor]

@sabin615 I was there just a few weeks ago, and the compline prayers were the best part of my whole year. They just take down all your barriers, wash you with the Word, and bring such beautiful peace! <3

[DaneEstok]

I went here in college and fell madly in love with compline ! it draws me into the arms of Christ at night. i am so glad you put this clip up here on youtube! thank you @sabin615! I think the guitar is absolutely perfect and the simple vocal harmonies are incredible...

[sabin615]

@apayem Brother Michael is the name my friend is known by in the Abbey.

[apayem]

@sabin615 - I agree 100% with this statement of yours.

God bless!

[apayem]

@apayem

I also like Liturgy in Italian, Aramaic and Slavonic.

The statement someone made about Liturgy in the vernacular, that is similar to Protestants who insist that the true version of the Bible is the King James Version. And yet, the Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and was compiled by monks in Latin.

All languages and dialects are pleasing to God. God is the creator of all, He is omnipresent and transcends time, space or any human language!

[apayem]

@sabin615 - May I ask who he is? I was a Postulant at New Melleray Abbey from 2009 till 2010.

I agree with your statement about languages. I attend Mass in English eventhough it's not my native language, but I adopted English as my prayer language. I talk to God in English and hear Him speak to me in English. I like English, Latin but also French as a Liturgical language. God understands all languages and is not displeased at all if Mass is not said in Latin.