Life in lockdown: View from a Monastery

Tree planting to mark the simple profession of Sr Mary Gabriel in February 2019.

Source: CoR

Sisters from the Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning, near Carnforth, in Lancashire, have shared their thoughts on how monastic life has changed during coronavirus. Their congregational website indicates how significantly they've been impacted:

"Normally September would start the new Bernardine year in the guesthouse and we would be advertising a whole range of events. This year everything is a lot different and we are still waiting for guidelines to ensure everything is safe for us and guests. We are looking at using the time to update building work etc. So at the moment we will remain closed for large residential groups and events.

The garden is producing a mountain of vegetables and we are busy making jams, marmalades and chutneys. In the absence of guests, we hope to sell these things online soon. "

Sister Elizabeth Mary leads the Community, having recently moved there from Brownshill, in Gloucestershire: "As the novelty of lockdown began to recede and the reality of the presence of Covid 19 sank in, I shared the desire to DO something to help the nation's effort, over and above the 'little things' we were doing: Community's increased weekly contributions to our local foodbank, 'staying safe' so that we did not add to the burden of the NHS, sowing extra vegetables to reduce our dependence on food supplies, extra time of Community prayer together for the pandemic etc,. I think that this was a natural human reaction, shared by so many who helped produce PPE, delivered essential items to the vulnerable, kept an eye on elderly neighbours……..

All I seemed to have to offer was my prayer and the day to day commitment to my vows and monastic living. Then, a conversation from years ago flashed through my mind. Weeks before entering, I was trying to explain my life decision to a friend whose reply was the all too familiar phrase 'what a waste'. After all, 30 years ago the shortage of secondary maths teachers drew financial government incentives to attract newly graduating mathematicians - I was 'useful'!

The friend then reflected: "I suppose the difference is that you believe in the power of prayer and I don't" but, after a moment's pause, she added "but then I would never not say a prayer whenever one of my children has an exam." The pandemic brought an opportunity to deepen my prayer, particularly the prayer of intercession and to live the 'starkness' of my vocation.

During the first months of lockdown I was also facing the probability of being asked to move to a new Community. I knew this would feel like an 'uprooting' with an inevitable journey through grief. In solidarity with all those for whom the pandemic has brought the ongoing suffering of uncertainty, loss and bereavement, I have tried to live this generously in faith, trusting in God's goodness and love."

Reflections from several other Sisters at Hyning:

"In one sense monastic life is a classic 'lockdown scenario'. We've chosen a life of prayer, solitude and some degree of separation from the world. We are a Community of 12 sisters, three of whom are sisters in temporary profession, comprising five different nationalities. The oldest sister is 95 and the youngest member is 29. This broad mix ensures a balance and richness in our community life together. Work and prayer form the basis of our life. We celebrate the Divine Office daily; it is sung five times a day in our Chapel. This is our life 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round we are 'in lockdown' with each other. Of course, for us the main difference is that we chose this life, whereas during 2020 the various ways of lockdown have been enforced on the world-wide community because of the pandemic.

None of us is perfect and we accept each other's weaknesses, knowing that we are stronger together, than alone. When we are open, we are all involved in the work of the guesthouse in our different ways, from welcoming people at the door, domestic work and in retreat giving. The main focus of our life is prayer and work at the service of God. As Bernardine Cistercians we seek God through the work of hospitality and prayer. When we hear our bell ringing it is a call to rise, to prayer, to eat and meet together as community. The daily timetable during lockdown hasn't changed, we still pray and work together.

What has been the biggest impact? Our welcome of guests. As a monastic guesthouse we welcome guests into our home, into our chapel. Receiving guests isn't just about making ends meet or ensuring an income, it's about living out our Rule that reminds us 'that we see in our Guests the face of Christ'. (cf. Rule of St Benedict Chapter 53.) So apart from limited family visits under ever changing rules, we have not received guests, given talks to groups or welcomed retreatants to the peace and beauty of our home and garden. This has been very hard for us on many levels, it is as if a fundamental aspect of our life has been ripped out - so a large part of our daily life has changed during lockdown.

We have tried to reach out in various ways during this time. Several of the sisters have been involved in Zoom retreats and giving online sessions. We have also used technology to accompany guests and give spiritual advice and support. Numbers in our Facebook group and page have risen dramatically over the past few months. Some weeks, thousands have tuned in to our Facebook talks, other weeks several hundred. It has been a learning experience to be able to reach out to people in different ways. We've set up equipment for future streaming, though for us, it's not about being a performance but singing the praises of God.

Over the past few months, we realise how fortunate we have been to have the grounds to walk in and pray, aware of the suffering of those locked down in high rise flats on council estates, individuals with no human contact for months, those in dire financial restraints etc,. Each day we gather together for an extra time of prayer to pray for those affected by Covid 19, for those who have died, for those who grieve and for all those who have worked so hard to help all those suffering at this time.

On a practical level we have looked at ways of simplifying our life, decluttered the house where possible and tried to find ways of replacing some of the income lost from the guesthouse. Like other people we've struggled on a financial level but are fortunate to have a garden and have been touched by the generosity of those who've helped us. We've been converting the fruits and vegetables in our garden to jams and chutneys to sell on our Facebook page, looking at simple crafts to sell as well.

It hasn't been easy separated from our friends and families at this time, unable to help in many practical and spiritual ways. We share in the suffering of our world, and we try to follow the rules imposed upon us. Not being able to share our public worship for many months was very difficult and it is still limited by regulations. We know so many people who have suffered so much that we know we cannot complain."

Another Sister reflects: "Lockdown for me was/is a call to intensify intercessory prayer through our monastic routine where we meet as a community for the Divine Office, meals and some shared work in the garden and preparing gluts of fruit and veg. We pledged 15 minutes as a community before Vespers for those suffering from Covid 19- which we have done faithfully and gladly.

The weather was beautiful and allowed me to do much needed outdoor painting of multiple exterior doors and fascia boards. Much intercession for Carers and the NHS. Much reflection on what we can learn from this pandemic and to prepare for future guests with upgrading of facilities and services."

Another Sister reflects: "Our monastic life is mostly lived within the monastery and grounds, so in some ways the lockdown was not too difficult. We have had time to deepen the essentials of our life and to appreciate even more the beauty that surrounds us. But it has been very hard not to be able to welcome here our guests, volunteers, Oblates, friends and family. So many come here for the peace of the monastery and the garden, and to join us in our Divine Office and Mass. All this has been denied them, and some have been lonely during these last months. We have kept in touch in different ways.

I have certainly increased and deepened intercessory prayer. Each day we take a short time together before Vespers to pray for all affected by the pandemic, and this has been a good thing to do, especially all of us together. In addition, I have been trying not to grumble but to remember all the millions who are living with much greater sufferings than we have known here."