All it takes is a few taps of fingers on keys and we can "be" right in the very monastery I wrote of in our "breakfast" post.
Over the months, I've grown so accustomed to the precious resource of monastic links on this blog's sidebar that I haven't thought to look at them in awhile. Last night, however, I did so, and - lo and behold. There was the very refectory I had written about visiting, and there were the Sisters standing, having breakfast in silence.
I've been privileged to go for retreat a number of times at the Visitation Monastery in Tryingham, Massachusetts, and I really would like to "take you back with me!" These two videos should do this quite well. If you have seen these before, I recommend a re-viewing, keeping in mind the physical elements of "our monastic day."
This particular monastery does not use grillwork (I say this lest you wonder why it isn't there). The Community relocated from Delaware in the mid 1990s, and in the new building there are partial walls and altar railings marking the boundaries of enclosure.
If you are interested in the atmosphere and life of a cloistered community, I think you will find these visits well worth your time. (click on them to view)