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 Brother Alexander |
Since the TV programme was made, I have taken my final vows, becoming a solemnly professed monk - during the filming I was a novice. My parents and sister came over from Zimbabwe (where they live) for the service, bringing with them some crocodile tail for the reception. Shortly after that I went home with them for the first time since joining the monastery. |
Pottery is still officially my main job and I have taken on more of the management of the pottery, providing the monastery shop with stock. I am still learning the craft, and enjoy the active, hands-on work. I am studying as well a correspondence course in theology it's a 5 year degree course. I'm not sure about becoming a priest in the future, but the course would stand me in good stead, and any decision would be made with the guidance of the Abbot. I'm continuing to play the piano and passed my grade 7 exam! I'm carrying on with the organ lessons as well but don't feel I'm a natural organist - it's a bit like trying to turn a stone into a diamond! If you're thinking of learning to play then start young! But there is a need for another organist to accompany the monks as they sing for the services. Accompanying a choir is very different from playing the instrument on its own - you have to be able to improvise, provide harmonies, and adapt to the speed and mood of the choir – all without written music! I have found the past year at the monastery hard. The common activities of the monks, like services and mealtimes, help to maintain the sense of community, but often I feel quite alone. This has been described as the 'desert experience'. |
| The first Christian monks were often hermits and
actually lived in the desert where conditions were austere, and sometimes
harsh. They found that this experience gave them greater freedom to
bring them closer to God. I see my life in a similar way, a monk, like
anyone else, does feel the need for companionship, but tries to direct any
sense of loneliness towards being alone with God a bit like those first
monks. I see other monks facing the same experience, using prayer to help
them through, and I find that encouraging. St Benedict describes a monastery as a 'school of the Lord's service' where lessons can be difficult but also rewarding. There is also the fact that monks are all in it together, all striving to live in the service of the Lord Jesus. This unites them with all Christians, so in fact we are never alone. Nigel Rawlinson |
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