New monasticism

Abstract

"I’m not a great fan of reality television, but The monastery, shown seven years ago, was a compelling account of five men spending time at Worth Abbey. It provided an insight into the spiritual journey and monastic life. This series was followed by Convent, about four women on a similar journey; and three years ago The big silence filmed five men and women on an individually guided Ignatian retreat at St Bueno’s in North Wales. Then, one of the most inspiring films I’ve seen over the past few years has been Of gods and men, based on the life of a group of Trappist monks in an impoverished Algerian community under threat by fundamentalist terrorists, and their crucial decision of whether to leave or stay. More recently I watched Into great silence, a documentary about the life of a reclusive Carthusian order in France—no dialogue, no soundtrack, yet stunning reviews"