A recent examination of the employment section in The Royal Gazette lead into an interesting morning lesson in Gregorian chanting.

The Sisters that live and tend the grounds and chapel on the Heydon Trust in Somerset are in the process of recruiting another Sister to help with the upkeep at the registered religious trust, but they also require a Sister that has a knowledge of Gregorian chanting.

The ancient practice of the chant is said to nurture the heart, mind and soul and it is a sacred act that dates back almost 1,400 years ago.

"Chant is a way of coming into contact with God every day," said Sister Hannah. "And it is not just in the monastic order, everyone can sing the chants."

Every morning the sisters perform the Morning Prayer and follow with the soothing sound of the lauds or chants recited in Latin.

Early on a Monday morning the view from the beautifully simple Heydon Chapel - with its exposed ceiling beams and stone floor - looks out over the calm waters of the Great Sound.

As the soft litany of Morning Prayer resonates through the tiny chapel, the early morning sun lit up the Sound and the view from the tiny, ancient window could soothe any restless soul.

The 43-acres of land are governed by a Board of Trustees and specifically set aside to the glory of God. Sister Joanna and Sister Hannah are currently the two Sisters that sing the daily offices as well as maintain the surrounding property.

They must perform the upkeep of the chapel, cleaning it and adorning it with seasonal flowers and there is a small cottage that must be taken care of, also the Sisters' responsibility. Around the trust they plant flower gardens and cultivate vegetables.

The Sisters come from the Community of Jesus in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, which is a non-denominational order that supports common Christian beliefs. The Community has been in Bermuda since 1975.

Both Sisters said they had a calling to become part of the community and Sister Joanna said the call to God must be honoured.

"I was called to the Sisterhood but a lot of people say they think about it, but, you usually don't choose this life. God called me to this life, in fact if you speak to any of the brothers or sisters, they will say they were called."

To become part of the Sisterhood within the Community of Jesus a vow of poverty, obedience and chastity must be performed, but self-examination and careful consideration must be taken before the vows are taken.

Sister Hannah, a Bermudian, found interest in the community of Jesus after she met with members on retreat at Willowbank.

"I was searching for meaning and direction in my life and responded to God's call. In the Sisterhood my artistic abilities were able to develop under God's direction."

Sister Hannah said her mother's influence when she was a teenager and the love and openness of the community were the two driving factors in becoming a sister.

Along with the arts, the Sisters also learn the ancient language of Latin and Latin pronunciation to aid in the singing of the chants.

"I believe that keeping the tradition of chant in our tiny chapel, in some small way is bringing blessings down on Bermuda," Sister Hannah said.