*****BBC2 Tonight ........ The Monastery Revisited******

[mosschops30]

For those of you who missed it the first time round, this programme recaps what happened when 5 normal blokes spent 40 days in a monastery, and now they have revisited to tell how it has changed their lives (or not)

Definately worth a watch, this programme and Worth Abbey changed my life

[Patttsy]

Hope you don't mind me asking, how did this programme change your life mosschops30?

[Patttsy]

bump mosschops30, enlighten us/me please?

[Bugsy2]

Really interesting programme. I know Father Christopher (now Abbot & Headmaster) as he was my brother's head of house when he was at school at Worth.
Would love to hear your experience Mosschops.

[mosschops30]

I went to Worth last year on a Finding Faith retreat weekend and it was a magical experience. Since then I have been on 3 more retreats, become a catholic and made many friends through going to Worth.

I cant explain it, but the way it touched those men is the way it touches everyone who goes, theres something very spiritual about it and everytime I go I learn a bit more about myself sometimes good and sometimes not so good, but always better for it.

Have also been to a healing session there which was a very moving experience too.

Bugsy Abbot Christopher is probably the most intelligent man I have ever met, I went with the opinion that monks were probably ugly blokes who werent up to much else, but was suprised to find that they all understood the pressures of real life, they were insightful, intelligent, engaging and have great sense of humour

[Patttsy]

Would you have still have become a Catholic/Christian apart from Bugsy Abbot Christopher and the Monastery Programme?

What does being a Catholic mean for you mosschops30?

Has it changed your relationships?

Sorry for being nosey

[mosschops30]

Bugsy and the abbot a whole different thing

probably not, i wasnt sure what I believed when i went there which is why i chose the finding faith because it was for that purpose. I'm still not sure i buy into some of the catholic ideas but i have a good priest here who is not too 'burn in hell' if you know what I mean. Like they said last night on the prog, being a christian does not mean wearing the right clothes and turning up to church every sunday and I think a lot of people would do well to remember that.

Its changed my relationships, I do try and think more about how my behaviour affects others and to base decisions based on my conscience and my morals. I have started to deal with things from the past better, which the healing helped with but i've still a long way to go.

Whats your situation patsy, why you so interested

[Patttsy]

I am a Christian, but don't have all the answers or anything like that.

mosschops30, I was just being curious and was genuinely interested to know about your experiences.

I really hope you didn't mind me asking questions.

Patttsy x

[mosschops30]

not at all, i'm becoming a bit of a monastery bore, drive dh crazy (he is athiest) sp?

cant recommend a retreat there enough, its just great to have to peace and quiet there too, no tv, no radio, no kids, just acres and acres of land, lots of food and a good nights sleep

[morningpaper]

I saw this programme (and the series) and found it so moving.

All the monks seemed SO wise and amazing. They were such a good advert for monastic life! They were just oozing with wisdom and calm. I would like to have one in a box in my kitchen. :)

I loved Gary - and AthonEy was wildy annoying.

I note that there is a follow up programme The Convent with women in a convent - should be interesting!

[mosschops30]

mp, me and my friend always want to kidnap a monk and bring him home, perhaps to keep in the airing cupboard to bring out at dinner parties (not that we have any) and times when you need to make a decision.

I did ask the Abbot what colour he thought I should colour my hair as he seems to have the answer to everything. Sadly he's not great on hair.

God isnt Anthony annoying, cant he see what a prize he is. I secretly fancy Tony (shame). Not sure whether I will like the women one, always been a bit wary of nuns

[frogs]

Really glad things worked out for you, mosschops! I remember yr thread when you were dithering about talking to yr priest -- I'm always really inspired by people actually making the step of converting. Being born to it is so much the easy option.

I'm v. curious about the Convent programme. I think the order concerned is the Poor Clares, who are pretty full-on as nuns go none of this dressing in sober navy M&S gear, this is floor-length brown robes, sandals, the works. There's a convent of Poor Clares in the town where I grew up (not the one in the prog I think) and they are amazing barking in some ways, but also very sane in others. I think they're mainly enclosed, but some of them do go out to do shopping etc. I suspect the dynamics will be quite different with women compared with the men.

[Ulysees]

Sorry for being lazy but have I missed it?

I'd love to go to a retreat. I'm also a Christian though I'm veering away from organised religion and have more of a personal faith now.

Your story is inspiring mosschops

[Ulysees]

Mosschops, shame you can't post a pic of your hair. I used to be a stylist and colouring was my thing You could have a poll on which colour and pick the most poplular

[mosschops30]

I spoke to one of the monks and her said that having spoken to the nuns it was apparent that things kicked off a lot quicker at the convent so should be good viewing.

Ulysees, i just look at it like a trip to the Betty Ford clinic, I can totally escape, talk about whatever I want, not be judged and recharge my spiritual batteries. dh actually likes me when I come home from a retreat

[mosschops30]

on the hair

[Ulysees]

I'm off to Amsterdam for 5 nights in December with my sis and mate, do you think that'll be similar


My dh is also an aethiest. He'd love a retreat and would make an excellent monk in my opinion though. And I'm not joking!!

[mosschops30]

oh yes i'm sure it will be the same have a great time

dh wont even watch the programme, he would never entertain going on a retreat and sharing his innermost feelings with complete strangers (which i quite enjoy). I am suprised by the number of couples who go on these retreats together.

[Ulysees]

I thought it would be that's why I booked it

Dh will watch things like this. He's more into the paranormal...I say more he's obsessed!

[Tommy]

I'm going to Worth for a weekend at the end of July - really looking forward to it now after watching the programme last night. Didn't see the whole of the series but was impressed with what I sw. Agree that Anthoney was annoying - didn't really enter in the life of it.
I know some Poor Clares too (perhaps same ones mosschops?) - they are all barking....

[mosschops30]

tommy are you going on the same one as me 'Finding Sanctuary' on 14th July?

you'll have to wear a red carnation so I know who you are

[Tommy]

no mosschops! The week after - that's a shame - I've never met another MNetter in RL (to my knowledge )
Hope you have a great time - I'm sure I will.

[mosschops30]

well good luck, i'm sure you'll enjoy it I always do

(just look out for the one person in your retreat who thinks they are better than everyone else, theres always one, but the monks seem to enjoy having a laugh at them )

[Tommy]

of - they'll be pleny od them - it's a music retreat so there's usually a few prima donnas there

[Tommy]

that should have said:
Oh, they'll be plenty of them

[MadamePlatypus]

I saw the series, but missed the recap - what are they all doing now?