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Diocese

The dissolution of the Priory of St Mary Overie

• Among you there can be no question of personal property. Rather, take care that you share everything in common. Your superior should see to it that each person is provided with food and clothing. He does not have to give exactly the same to everyone, for you are not all equally strong, but each person should be given what he personally needs.

• The place for prayer should not be used for any other purpose other than that for which it is intended and from which it takes its name. Thus if someone wants to pray there even outside the appointed hours, in his own free time, he should be able to do so without being hindered by others who have no business there.

• From the beginning of the meal to the end listen to the customary reading of the Scriptures, for you have not only to satisfy your physical hunger, but also to hunger for the word of God.

• Do not attract attention by the way you dress. Endeavour to impress by your manner of life, not by the clothes you wear.

Extracts for the Rule of St Augustine

In the year of Our Lord 1535 a group of novices listen to a story about the founder of their order, St Augustine of Hippo.

They are seated in the grounds of the Priory of St Mary Overie. The Priory was founded in 1106 by Bishop William Gifford and is famed for its good works in the community of Southwark.

The Prior (Bartholomew Fowle) and Sub-Prior (Thomas Hendon) greet the new canons and give them various tasks.

The novices are instructed to assist:

• The Almoner -  giving charity to the poor.

• The Sacrist - responsible for church contents and relics.

• The Cellarer - taking care of food and drink supplies.

• The Infirmarian/Infirmarer - caring for the sick.

• The Hospitaller - welcoming guests to the Priory.

• The Precentor - responsible for the church services.

Having been allotted to their various tasks, the young canons set to work.

Before long, fatigue sets in and they are soon fast asleep ...

Matins - the first service of the day. At 2 am the weary canons are awoken and quietly process into the choir. To make sure they remain awake, the Circator makes his rounds. The Circator shines a lamplight into the canons' faces. Those canons who are clearly asleep are awoken by the Circator.

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