What is monastic life?
“Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?” asks Saint Benedict. If you hear this and your answer is “I do,” God then directs these words to you.”
(Cf. Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict)
Outside of God and the Christian faith, monastic life is incomprehensible and appears to serve no purpose. Monks however know that their vocation is mysteriously useful and mysteriously effective for their brothers, namely mankind. They know that it is an imperfect and unfaithful participation in the life, passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, who saved mankind as God resurrected him from among the dead.