Our Daily Lives

The Servants of Love is a self-supporting community of women and men whose lives are dedicated to following the teachings of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Gospels and as interpreted by the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Spirit.

We strive to fulfill the Commandments as expressed by Jesus

to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength
to love one's neighbour as oneself
to 'Love one another as I have loved you' John 15:12

Contemplative

'Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will be given to you' - 'Mary has chosen the better part'

'The Kingdom of Heaven is within' - 'She pondered all these things in her heart'.

These words inspire us to be reflective people, striving to live in the presence of God, listening to his whispers that we may carry out His Will. They inspire us to spend time in meditation and silence so as to become one with God and all of mankind in the peace and happiness of love and goodness.

Active

Jesus taught in the synagogues and public places. He said: 'Go, teach all nations'. We strive to bring the light of his love to the world. We wear a simple blue habit as an outward sign of our commitment to simplicity and spirituality. We view the media as an invaluable tool for promoting awareness of God's Goodness. We fine-tune our creative abilities with artistic excellence and to the movements of the Holy Spirit so that each person may be a powerful instrument for the Lord. Through this approach we hope to contribute the most goodness to the most amount of people and help them in their search for truth.

Our Daily Routine

The community rises at 6.30am for Morning Prayer and to sing the Psalms. We offer ourselves to God for the day and sing two David psalms (we start at #1 and, after a few weeks, arrive at #150. Then, start again.).
7am we enjoy a shot of wheatgrass/piece of fruit for health and cleansing and a short inspirational exchange of uplifting thoughts for the day.

Meditation for 30 minutes follows,nwith our founder's talks interjected or outdoor reflection in beautiful Wicklow coastal surroundings.

When available we attend 8am Mass as the Blessed Eucharist is central to our life and spiritual nourishment.

Breakfast at 8.30am includes a spiritual topic for open discussion. We take turns to introduce this topic. By this we hope to share what is in our hearts and minds around a particular subject, the purpose being to help us live lovingly in union with God and each other. We try to keep our discussions positive and constructive whilst giving each other space for sometimes opposing thoughts and experiences.

Work until lunch 1.00pm with freedom to take a mid-morning teabreak.

During the midday meal we again discuss a spiritual topic for a little while. We chat about how the day's work is going. We try to keep our diet as healthy as possible, and, although there is a cooked meal, it is mostly an organic plant-based diet.

Siesta for those who wish to take a rest or a walk then...

Psalms chanted at 2pm. Here we include a 'Chapter of Faults', which consists in members taking turns to ask the community for some positive guidelines. The other members are also free to mention a negative action of that person, or any other member, at this time. This may sound antiquated, but the process is quite positive and enables each person to become strong in themself while having the support of the community in overcoming their negative faults. It keeps the community charitable but disciplined.

Work until 6.00pm, with an optional afternoon teabreak.

After the evening meal, a social and friendly gathering

Evening psalms followed by Meditation for 15 minutes.

During the Evening Recreation members are free to pursue their own creative or recreational interests. Television is available. Walks. Visiting friends in the town. Etc. All in the spirit of charity and within the 'obedience' of the community. Permission must be sought to attend certain events some distance away or which involve payment, as all funds and means of transport are held in common possession according to our promise of poverty.

Silence at 10.30pm as the men and women go to their respective rooms on different floors in the compound.

For over 30 years we rose during the night at 1am and 4am for praying the rosary and singing a psalm, however with an aging community we now say/meditate the rosary during the day.

All rise for the day at 6.30am.

Devotion to Mary and the Blessed Eucharist

As well as the Imitation of Jesus in His Poverty (to have as possession only what is absolutely necessary), Chastity (all the members are committed to celibacy) and Obedience (to the Church and to the rules of the Community), the Servants of Love have a childlike love and devotion to Mary as our Mother and Mediatrix of Graces. To this end we consecrate ourselves to her, each year, by renewing The True Devotion to The Blessed Virgin (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).

Our love and closeness to Mary is experienced as a wonderful help to spiritual childhood, and very helpful regarding our daily decision-making and concerns.

Governance

Every year, on the 25th March, Feast of the Annunciation, the community elects a superior or moderator for the year. This person has the power of 'final say' in the democratic decision-making of the community. To balance out the needs of both male and female members, another person is also elected, an assistant moderator, necessarily of the opposite sex. Both these members are chosen to look after the good of the community.

Vow of the Positive

Servants of Love Community

Our Daily Lives

Contemplative