After breakfast, the Sisters will disperse to go to their assigned apostolates. Here in Arkansas we have a unique missionary spirit. We were formed to serve the needs of the diocese. The active apostolates at present are: St. Bernard’s Hospital, which we started in 1900: Pastoral Care; Teaching in Catholic Schools; Hispanic Ministry; Religious Education of Children: Youth Ministry; and Prison Ministry. Each sister is assigned some form of active apostolate, as long as she is able, then, there are many Community Ministries that she may be suited for.

Mid-day prayer is celebrated in the chapel at 11.45 a.m. followed by Lunch. The afternoon is also set aside for different works and private prayer. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is at 4:30 p.m. and Mass is celebrated at 5 p.m., followed by supper. Vespers (evening prayer) is celebrated at 6.45 p.m. This is followed by recreation from 7-8 p.m. At 8 p.m. we pray Compline (night prayer). Grand Silence begins after recreation and is observed throughout the monastery until after breakfast.

The Sister strives to spend her day busy about the Lord's affairs emulating Mary, who “set out at that time and went as quickly as she could” (Luke 1:39).The Sister “must carry out the work of the one who sent her,” (John 9:4), making haste to carry out His will with joy and love.
If one has heard the call of Christ to "Follow me," one should respond as did the Blessed Virgin Mary’s "Fiat", "Yes, let it be done unto me according to Thy Word" (St. Luke 1:38).

Our community considers accepting, women who may have a divine calling to religious life. This is a process of friendship, prayer, and discernment. The following are the steps you would take to join our community.

• First you would contact the Vocations Directress or the Prioress, telling us some basic information about yourself so we can begin a relationship.
• Once this connection is made, then the community would contact you to arrange a time for you to come and visit.
• During your visit you would have the chance to work and pray with us learning about our way of life.
• After you leave, we will be praying to know if this is possibly your divine calling. You should begin looking into the Benedictine Spirituality to see if you are called to this type of life. If time allows you would begin learning about “Lectio Divina” and trying to meditate using the Scriptures.
• If after prayer and discernment, you still feel drawn to the community, a second visit of longer duration will be scheduled where you could live among us for a time.
• At this time, you would be able to ask the Prioress for entry into the Community. Entering our Community at Holy Angels involves the traditional process used in many religious orders of Postulancy (minimum 6 months), Novitiate (18 months), Temporary Profession of at least four years, and finally, God willing, Perpetual Profession.

The life of a Benedictine Sister is not for everyone. The Benedictine motto “Ora et Labora” (pray and work), is something we strive to accomplish every day and is not without its challenges. But for those called to this radical life, the monastic way is joyful and fulfilling. If you feel that God is calling you to this way of life and you desire to be armed with the noble weapons of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience, Reformation of Life and Stability in the Community, then please contact the Directress of Vocations and arrange a visit to Holy Angels Convent.