The impetus, the focus, the desire of a Sister of the Good Samaritan is to seek God. For those who live by the Rule of St Benedict, the Work of God (Opus Dei) is essentially the Divine Liturgy, the prayer of the community. As Sisters of the Good Samaritan, this is our first ‘work’; all else flows from it, and is energised by it.
Of course, for all Christians, prayer is an essential component of living the Gospel. For Benedictines, however, daily, communal liturgical prayer is central to our commitment. We pray together because that is our work.
Good Samaritans praying the Liturgy of the Hours
Each day, morning and evening, we gather in union with creation to pray with and for all creation. We hold the earth, its people and its circumstances before God with reverence and expectation that the One who creates is faithful.
As we pray we are changed; we become what we pray. We are impelled to discipleship, to be neighbour. We learn to notice those who are battered and bruised, those left by the side of the road – physically, emotionally or spiritually. We discover new energy for ecological conversion; we know our oneness with all creation.
Each Sister also finds nourishment through daily Lectio Divina with scripture or other significant texts, in personal prayer, and in Eucharist with local parish communities.
The Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality received from Archbishop Polding and our founding Sisters continues to grow and change, and most importantly, to be shared. We respond to the deep desire of humanity for meaning; for a spirituality that will make sense of life.
We share our spirituality with other people in a variety of ways, through gatherings with oblates, and on special occasions when friends and others are invited. We invite them into our communities, and we provide them with opportunities for nourishment, reflection and prayer.
As Good Samaritans, we respond to the needs of our world in all the places and circumstances in which we find ourselves.
