In Benedictine Monasticism, a typical day is structured around The Divine Office or the “Liturgy of the Hours.” In Chapter 16 of the Rule, Benedict lists 7 periods during the day when monks gather for spiritual practice. Vigil is a nighttime gathering, which makes 8 total gatherings per 24 hour period.

“The Prophet says: Seven times a day have I praised you (Ps 118[119]: 164). We will fulfill this sacred number of seven if we satisfy our obligations of service at Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline, for it was of these hours during the day that he said: Seven times a day I have praised you (Ps 119[119]: 164). Concerning Vigils, the same Prophet says: At midnight I arose to give you praise (Ps 118[119]: 62). Therefore, we should praise our Creator for his just judgments at these times: Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline; and let us arise at night to give him praise (Ps 118[119]: 164,62).

The exact time of day of each of the “hours” seems to have changed with the season, but generally speaking they were as follows:

Lauds: Dawn or 5am.
Prime: Early Morning or 6am.
Terce: Mid-Morning or 9am.
Sext: Midday or 12 noon.
None: Mid-Afternoon or 3pm.
Vespers: Evening or 6 pm.
Compline: Night or 7pm.

Vigil: Middle of the Night or 2am.

I try to keep my own “hours” for my personal situation and practice of Centering Prayer. I am at generally at my best when I have a routine, and spiritual practice is no exception. I have also experimented with Monk Days which may put me close to a typical Benedictine schedule on those days.