Place for Laymen
"Not all who come to the Monastery intend to enter the priesthood," Father Williams noted. "Laymen are encouraged to study toward this end, but there is a real place in the Society for consecrated laymen, who, for one reason or another, feel no vocation for the priestly life."
"The Monastery of St. Mary and St. John is entirely sustained by pledges and donations," said Father Williams. "We charge nothing for our various services.
"We own and minister to two churches in Boston at the present time. The Mission Church on Bowdoin Street and the Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin in Roxbury. It's primarily attended by colored people. Not that's it's segregated, but the neighborhood has changed during the years."
He referred to a printed pamphlet. "A number of Harvard students serve as acolytes in our regular Sunday services. And we attract a lot of students at our regular morning and evening services and the Sunday afternoon coffee hours."
Episcopal students may attend Mass, Vespers, and Compline daily and Sunday. The Monastery provides students with breakfast each morning and community recreation each week. Confessions are heard in the Chapel on Saturdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Only fifteen men live in the Monastery at the present time. Each inhabits a monastic cell, a single room equipped with a cot, a spindly desk, one chair, a chest-of-drawers, a closet, and a lamp. There is a wash basin in one corner and a bathroom down the hall. The only adornment on the wall is a crucifix. Simple white curtains frame the window.
The day begins at 5:45 in the morning, when the members of the Community arise. Matins, Lauds, Prime, and Preparation for Mass take place at half-past six. Priests then offer the Holy Sacrifice. The daily public Mass begins at 7:30.