Some Monkish Videos for Saint Benedict’s Feast

For today’s Feast of Saint Benedict¹, I thought I’d share with you some of the short videos and documentaries I’ve found over the years that give an insight into the monastic life.

Every monastery is different, of course, as you will see in these videos, but these monks have all responded to the same call of God, the call to live a life of prayer in community. There are more similarities than differences.

These are in no particular order.

Quaerere Deum

This documentary was produced in 2011 at the Monastery of Saint Benedict in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of the saint.

In 2016, the monastery – indeed, much of the town – was flattened by a series of earthquakes. This video captures the spirit of Benedictine life in Norcia, but quite a bit has changed since the earthquake, including the start of construction of a new monastery on the hills overlooking the town.

To learn more, visit nursia.org.

Living the Liturgy

A wonderful documentary filmed about 2010 that examines Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma.

Founded in 1999, Clear Creek became an abbey in 2010. The community currently counts 50 monks. They, too, are embarked on an ambitious building project.

Find out more at clearcreekmonks.org.

Silverstream Priory

A newer offering, produced just last year. This documentary examines the Benedictine Monks at Silverstream Priory in Ireland.

A group of American ex-patriot monks founded Silverstream Priory in Stamullen, County Meath, Ireland in 2012. It was the first monastic foundation in the County since Henry VIII. The primary mission of this small monastery is the liturgy and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

You can find out more about them at cenacleosb.org.

Chant from the Monks of Pluscarden Abbey

Finally, what would monks be without Gregorian chant?

Founded in 1230, Pluscarden Abbey in Scotland is the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose. Visit them at pluscardenabbey.org.

And here’s a longer documentary on the Abbey.

1. In Benedictine circles, properly called the Solemnity of the Translation of the Relics of Saint Benedict.