I. Offices in a medieval monastery

Choir monks
Those who did not hold office as obedientiaries were known as "choir" or "clositer" monks. They were expected to be present at all church services, whereas the obedientiaries has permission to be absent.
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The prior
The abbott's deputy, who is in charge when the abbot is away.
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The novices and master of novices
The master of novices made sure that the novices learned by heart all of the prayers that were chanted in the choir.
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The almoner
In charge of the distribution of alms to the poor
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The guest master
Supervised the guest-house and was responsible for offering hospitality to visitors.  Benedict's Rule required monks to provide hospitality, a service that was frequently exploited by royal families and nobility.
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The infirmarer
Looked after the 'infirmary' or sick-house.
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The cantor or precentor
Was in charge of the chanting of prayers in the abbey choir, as well as for the library and the scholarly work of the monks.
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The cellarer
A powerful figure, who managed the purchase of all food and drink.
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The chamberlain
Responsible for the monks' clothing. He also supervised bedding, bathing, and shaving.
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The sacrist
Looked after the church and its furnishings
 
 

II. The Opus Dei

"At midnight I rose to give praise to thee," and "Seven times a day have I given praise to thee"; two passages from the book of Psalms.

1. Vigils, Nocturns (later known as Matins) (ca 2:00 AM in winter, 3:00 AM in summer)

2. Lauds (first light)

3. Prime (first hour)

4. Terce (third hour)

5. Sext (sixth hour)

6. None (ninth hour)

7. Vespers (evening office)

8. Compline (before going to bed)
 
 

DAILY LIFE: A TIMETABLE OF WORSHIP
The Rule of St Benedict set out how prayers should be conducted in the abbey church.The heart of the daily services was the chanted recital of the 'psalter' (prayers from the Book of Psalms). The whole of the Book of Psalms was recited during the course of each week. This round of daily prayer was called the 'opus Dei' - the Work of God. Benedict had stated that there should be eight services or 'offices', comprising a night service, later known as Matins,and seven daytime offices: Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. The decision to organize prayers in this way was based on two statements in the Psalms: 'At midnight I rose to give praise to thee' and 'Seven times a day have I given praise to thee'. Benedict assigned particular psalms to particular services. His instructions contained some homely touches. The first prayer of the first service of the day was to be chanted slowly 'in order that all may assemble in time'. He also stated that monks should sleep dressed and ready for prayer: Being clothed they will thus always be ready, and rising at the signal without any delay may hasten to forestall one another to the Work of God. When they rise for the Work of God, let them gently encourage one another, on account of the excuses to which the sleepy are addicted.Benedict recommended that the timetable not be too burdensome, the eight services should be short enough to allow time for study and manual labour. He looked back with admiration to the time of the first monks of the desert, commenting that the pioneers of monasticism recited the psalms so quickly that many of them were able to complete all 150 every day. As time passed the conduct of the services became more elaborate and time-consuming. New prayers and repetitions were added. The eucharistic service of the mass, performed only on Sundays in Benedict's day, became daily, and then a second celebration was added. This tendency to ever more complex liturgy reached its height in the elaborate ritual of the Cluniac monasteries.
 

Visit a monastery
Lindisfarne
Cluny
Durham Cathedral
Fontenay