A Monastic Year: Reflections from a Monastery

by Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette

This book satisfies our perennial and persistent curiosity about what goes on behind monastery walls. A Monastic Year is an insider's view that offers bright and informative reflections on every dimension of a monk's life, arranged by season. In winter, the author describes the unique rhythms of monastic life reflected in nature and the liturgy. In spring, the sources and traditions of monastic life. In summer and fall, he explores elements of monastic life like solitude and work.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity

181 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[James Mcgowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overview of the Christian liturgical year and the monastic practises that Brother Victor writes about.

[Stephen Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text offers a clear and straightforward look into the nature of living within the walls of a monastery. Brother Lawrence is very clear, helpful, and reflective about the different liturgies practiced throughout the year along with the historical ties and traditions that each one holds. I thoroughly enjoyed "living" a monastic year through Brother Lawrence's personal, emotive thoughts that continually remind the monk that all things point to God and His blessings. He also does a very good job explaining the nature of monastic life to those who are unfamiliar with what it means to live in a monastery, myself included. Highly recommended if you don't mind relatively slow moving, but pensive and colorful works.

[Kbg503 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book. This is from a person who views himself as more spiritual than practicing any single religion. Now, enlightened to learn that reflections change with the Seasons and how the monastery remembers its past in the desert. In the glossary, there is a definition for "Kyrie Eleison". Maybe I just forgot what it meant, but that song hasn't been.

[Jason Marciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a charming look into the life of monastic living. The pages reflect a simplicity of living that many in the faster paced world of daily city life might find difficult to imagine. Illustrated in these pages is a tableau of a year lived quietly and devotedly to one's beliefs.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable book. It's a mixture history and personal reflection.