Monastery of Nuns of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
Prague - Lysolaje
Work forms an important
part of our life. On the one hand, by means of
work we share in God's plan of creation
redemption. On the other hand, it enables us to share
most people's destiny, because we earn money for our life as
they do. Our work is also an expression of the love we share
together and of the love that we have for other people, since,
through it, we try our best to be at the service of our
neighbour. Finally, by our work, we develop the abilities and
gifts that we have received from God, and practise the
perseverance, responsibility, patience and creativity that
promote our maturity and stability.
Our daily programme includes
four or five hours devoted to work. We all share the
housework (care of the house and garden and so on). In
addition, we undertake a variety of tasks as part of our service
to the Church and to people. These tasks also help us to earn
our living. However, as we are a contemplative community, we do
all our work within the boundaries of our monastery.
Some Sisters, for example,
translate books and articles from different languages (English,
German, French and Polish) including the preparation of a new liturgical translation of the Bible from the original languages, others prepare editions of
liturgical or other books.
They paint icons
and copies of medieval paintings; they also make vestments
decorated
with hand-woven work and embroidery. They make rosaries,
baptismal garments, and similar
minutiae, and recently, they also produce leather items, handbags, decorative book coverings, rosary and knife cases etc.