We visited the Cistercian Abbey yesterday. The Abbey was established in 1396 by the Cartusian Monks. The church takes the shape of a cross 80 by 60 meters. There were 42 beautiful wood seats in the front for the monks, but there are only 6 monks in residence now.
Then we took a look at the gardens that have not come to life yet this year. Around another garden area were 24 monk homes. Each had a lazy-susan where meals were delivered. Monks ate alone every day but Sunday when they shared a meal and they were allowed to converse for a half hour after dinner and then back to silence. Today's monks are not so quiet though as the take vows to pray and work but not silence. The monks residence includes a living room with fireplace, a study area an upstairs bedroom, and an outside garden inside a wall partitioned off from others. This was a serene setting with very kind monks.
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Memories, memories of my short convent life. The serenity of the outside garden for a moment made me wanting for that kind of life again.
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