David and I just finished watching "Into Great Silence," a nearly three hour documentary about the Grande Chartreuse Cistercian monastery--a hermit-like monastic order of the strictest observance.
The monks pray the liturgy of the hours, including a three hour middle of the night prayer session, which takes place every night, complete basic chores, and study in their cells. Every movement, every chore, everything they do gives glory to God; their very lives become an act of ceaseless prayer. They are silent and separate, except when joined in prayer as a community, at the once weekly communal meal, and once weekly walking excursion outdoors.
We watched the movie on three separate nights. Every scene was beautiful and made me want to do more to strengthen my own prayer life. I highly recommend it.
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