The Dominican Order Vocation

Excerpts from "And the world looks at us", 1964 vocation film.

Monastic Brothers of Bethlehem and then Assumption

The 'Monastic Family of Bethlehem and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary' took birth in 1950, following the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Sisters were founded on France, soon after, and the Brothers in France in 1976.

They are 2 geographically distinct Lavras of Hermits,one Congregation men, the other of women, though with similar charism lifestyle and foundation.

The life of the Monks is to love Jesus through Mary, and adore the Blessed Trinity in silence and solitude . It is Saint Bruno that the religious confide in to guide them toward the hermit life. The life of the monastic family of Bethlehem is inspired by the model lauras or skites in Egyptian beginnings of Christian monasticism, where the monks lived in solitude through the week and gathered for the Holy Synaxis on Sunday.

The monks (and nuns) of Bethlehem pray, work, study, eat and sleep in their cells and hermitages. The monastic day begins with evening vespers celebrated in common in the chapel. Then,the Religious stand Vigil during the night "where they mount a holy and persevering watch, awaiting the return of their Master, in opening when he knocks" (San Bruno).

They then go to the oratory for Matins, followed by Lauds and the Eucharist. They are the only two times liturgical celebration lived together daily; the little hours of the divine office are celebrated in their cells.
Monday is a Desert day, of complete solitude, except for a simple Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Common.

There offices are greatly inspired by Byzantine-Slav/Middle Eastern traditions as well as the simplicity of Latin Carthusian Chant.

Sundays and great Feasts are fraternal, marked by a meal in Common ,and a fraternal walk, and recreation.
The worldwide Communities counts 500 Members.(Primarily French speaking)

Monasteries of Monks are in France, Italy,Spain and Israel.

Da Pacem Domine

Give Peace, Lord

Carthusians~ Grande Chartreuse 1964

First ever filming inside the Roman Catholic Monastic/Hermitage of the Grande Chartreuse -1964.The Order was founded by Saint Bruno in 1084a.d. and comprises a masculine and a feminine branch.

At present, the Order is composed of about 450 monks and nuns who live a solitary life at the heart of the Church; there are 24 Houses in three continents, all dedicated exclusively to the contemplative life.

The only goal of the Carthusian way is CONTEMPLATION, by the power of the Spirit, living as unceasingly as possible in the light of the love of God for us, made manifest in Christ. This implies a purity of heart, or charity: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Mt 5:8) Monastic tradition also calls this goal pure and continuous prayer.

Study and Contemplation in the Dominican Order

Audio excerpts of a talk at the Dominican House.

Music for the Soul

The Australian's Iain Shedden talks to two of the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz, the Pope's favourite Gregorian chant singers, who have become unlikely pop stars in Europe with their album 'Chant'.

Historian reveals how Pius IX decided to proclaim dogma of Immaculate Conception

Historian reveals how Pius IX decided to proclaim dogma of Immaculate Conception.

The Church of the Annunciation - Nazareth - Israel

The Church of the Annunciation (Hebrew: כנסיית הבשורה‎, Arabic: كنيسة البشارة, Greek: Εκκλησία του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου), sometimes also referred to as the Basilica of the Annunciation is a church in Nazareth, in modern-day northern Israel; it was established in the place where, according to Roman Catholic tradition, the Annunciation took place. In other words, it is the location where Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a virgin, was visited by the Archangel Gabriel and told that she had been selected to be the mother of Jesus. The Greek Orthodox tradition holds that this event occurred while Mary was drawing water from the well in Nazareth, and erected St. Gabriel's Church at that alternate site.

The current church is a two-story building, erected over the site of an earlier Byzantine and Crusader church. Inside, the lower level contains the Grotto of the Annunciation, believed by many Christians to be the actual remains of the original childhood home of Mary.

Under Roman Catholic canon law, it enjoys the status of a minor basilica.

It is a historically significant site and may even be considered sacred within some circles of Christianity, especially Catholicism. The basilica attracts many Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Christian visitors every year.