Written by a lay woman who spent 3 months living with the Trappistine Sisters of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey inside their monastic enclosure, this book describes how the wisdom and insights of our Cistercian and Benedictine monastic tradition can make a difference in the lives of people who do not live in monasteries. It's much more than an account of what the author observed during her time with the Sisters. It's also a practical overview of what is involved in applying monastic values and practices to the lived experiences of ordinary life outside the monastery.

Cistercian monasteries are known as schools of charity, and this book is an engaging exploration into what is to be learned there - lessons that have to do with cultivating an inner life of prayer and reflection in order to live an outer life in a manner that is consistent with Gospel values.

It can be a primer into what non-monastic men and women can do to move through each day attentively and deliberately, the way monastic people do, balancing work, prayer, relationships with others, and the joys of living simply and in harmony with the rhythm of the seasons and the beauty of the natural world. Thoughtfully written and accurate in its depiction of monastic life, this book would be a valuable resource for Benedictine Oblates, Cistercian Lay Associates and anyone wishing to learn more about how to apply monastic values and practices to their lives.