Practices
Monastic Practices
Monastic life has always been associated with certain ascetical practices such as work, the hidden life, simplicity, austerity, together with vigils and fasting
Work
Manual Work has always been an important element in the Cistercian tradition. Through it we share in the divine work of creation and restoration. Hard and redeeming work is also a means of providing a livelihood for ourselves and others, especially the poor. It expresses solidarity with all workers. Moreover work is an occasion for a fruitful asceticism that fosters personal development, maturity and responsibility. It promotes health of mind and body and contributes greatly to the unity of the whole community with every monk contributing according to his gifts and abilities.
The Hidden Life
Monastic life has always entailed a degree of physical separation from the world. That is why a monastery is usually found in a place which safeguards the quiet and solitude of those who reside there. Long experience has shown that a sustained spiritual life requires a life of silence, a measure of solitude and an absence of useless distraction.
Simplicity
We strive for a lifestyle that is plain and frugal following the example of our founders, who sought an uncomplicated relationship with the God of simplicity. This simplicity is to be apparent in our building and furnishings, in our food and clothing and even in the celebration of our liturgy. An important aspect of this simplicity is concern for the environment and the management of natural resources.
Austerity
An austere lifestyle is very much part of monastic living. At particular times in the year such as Lent and Advent monks fast; they rise early in the morning to pray, spend much of their time in Church and the food they eat is simple but adequate. The purpose of such austerity is to continually focus the monk’s heart and mind on the search for God. The monks is called to live with God; he came to the monastery to seek God and hence his whole lifestyle is geared towards this ideal.
Fasting
Church fasting was considered to be an important practice on the spiritual journey along with prayer and almsgiving. Monks have always held it in honour. St. Benedict encourages it during Lent and at other times in the year. With some changes fasting is still practiced by monks according to the grace given them. On a spiritual level fasting expresses the humble condition of the creature before God and can arouse spiritual desire in the heart of the monk. In a world of economic imbalance, fasting can bring the monk into solidarity with the world’s poor and allows him to share in Christ’s pity for the hungry.
