Brothers and Sisters: Glimpses of the Cloistered Life

by Frank Monaco, Ron Hansen (Foreword)

Our experience of the rush of the contemporary world often awakens an inner longing for real rest and spiritual depth, but choosing to live cut off from the world is difficult for many to understand. During his fifty years as a professional photographer, Frank Monaco has often been welcomed as a guest within the walls of enclosed monasteries and convents. Brothers and Sisters brings together many of the images he has taken of monks and nuns at work, at prayer, and in the service of their communities. The 67 duotone photographs are accompanied by extracts from the simple rules—from the Benedictines, Carmelites, and others—that these men and women have elected to follow, and which guide every moment of their lives. No reader who sees these photos will be able to imagine life within the walls of a monastery in quite the same way. “A masterful collection of black-and-white photographs woven with prose.... The angles and composition of the photography are outstanding.”—The Dallas Morning News

Genres: Catholic, Religion

88 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[grace saint · Rating 3 out of 5]

the photographs are lovely its such a shame the author makes such weird comments about nuns depriving themselves of husbands whilst no similar comments are made in The Monk chapter previously, and then he continues that it's a problem that they deny the world of hypothetically birthing priests

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a photo of two nuns dancing that is utterly luminous and inspiring.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this photo essay for the 5th time. Always moving when I read it. The quotes do not always match the religious order pictured on the page BUT as you learn about the different religious communities you will be able to figure that out and it does not take away from either the image or the text.

The book is a photo essay with quotes from the Rule of St Benedict, St Teresa of Avila and others.
It juxtaposes pictures of people in traditional monasteries (habits, cloister) with quotes from various religious founders. The Monasteries profiled are all traditional so some modern monasteries like Gethsemani and most American Benedictine houses will not feel it represents them at all. Having said that, it's a beautiful visual essay.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. Worth more than the $1 and Dollar Tree. I don't know how these folks do it.