Brothers and Sisters: Glimpses of the Cloistered Life

Frank Monaco's book gives a unique glimpse into monasteries and the lives of the monks and nuns who live in them. The photos are filled with the nuances and moods of the subjects photographed providing a window into this life consecrated to God in a radical way of following him.Whether all the monks and nuns are wearing "full" habit is neither here nor there. It must be admitted that the habit which is a profound witness, reflects the beauty of God. Yes, some photos are "dated" by the glasses, computers,etc. So, who cares. It's true some monks and nuns continue wearing "older' frames and some have old computers that are discarded by benefacters but it's part of the everyday of poverty.One criticism is that there are photos of Franciscan friars who are NOT monks but none of Dominican nuns who are cloistered nuns.

Those reviewers who have somewhat damned this exquisite book with faint praise, by commenting simultaneously that "the photography is superb BUT waaay out of date", are missing Monaco's main point. They have obviously not lived in a single one of the thousands of traditional Catholic monasteries which thrive today all over the world.WHEREAS I HAVE LIVED INSIDE SEVERAL, & in recent years.To wit: The Poor Clare, Carmelite, and Benedictine Nuns glimpsed by Monaco's deeply perceptive camera are NOT "outdated" because they are wearing the full, floorlength habits, bare feet, wimples and veils of their Rules & Constitutions. Popular media have unfortunately misled readers/viewers to believe that those monasteries which continue to flourish contain women in short skirts and mini-veils - or indeed, even no religious habits at all.This is entirely wrong.Monaco has given a completely realistic view indeed of today's thriving monasteries which are filled with steady streams of new vocations. Original austere Rules & lives of strict asceticism are the very incense - & sharp reality - of those cloisters which are NOT closing down. Consider, for contrast, the current documentation of monasteries such as the Carmel of Reno NV, where no habit is worn at all, & not one single new, fresh vocation has entered in over 25 years. A similar Carmel in Barre VT had to close recently for the very same reason.Thus DO NOT BE MISLED by reviewers complaining that Monaco's photos are "beautiful but obviously dated because the nuns are wearing old fashioned glasses & habits, & using out-dated computers". No, Monaco is beautifully underscoring the fact that these Nuns wear such glasses because they value their vow of poverty far more. Their computers are outdated for the very same reason.'Brothers and Sisters' witnesses to a living reality, exactly as it is lived today all throughout the world.Monaco captures even the subtlest signs of these traditional monasteries' dedication to an asceticism & joyous austerity which NEVER goes out of date. The freedom, simplicity & bliss he captures in the Nuns' faces tells all. How ravishing!

A beautiful, touching book with lovely photographs. I agree with the reviewer who mentioned that a more contemporary look would be worthwhile. Still, even though outdated, it is a marvelous look at the religious life of some years ago. Anyone actually moved to consider the monastic life by looking at this book would be well advised to get an update, however!

This is a lovely tribute to the men and women of the Catholic Faith who have given up so much in order to gain a great deal more. Simply by looking at the pictures and reading the quotes one gathers in the sense of Monastic life at it's core...the daily ritual, the simplicity and the joy of solitude, as well as community life. This is a perfect book for anyone curious about cloistered religious life or even someone who may have a vocation. Wonderful gift book. I would give it 5 stars except that while looking at the pictures with nuns wearing black wide-framed eye glasses and using very old computers, I know these pictures are outdated and would rather see what cloistered life of the present day is like. Still a very nice book with great intentions.