Monastery

A place where members of religious orders live in community, usually under the monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The orderly life of prayer, work, and study is carried out in the context of the “hours of the day” or “divine offices” and the daily eucharist. The brothers in a monastery or sisters in a convent live in individual cells (rooms). They eat and worship in community. They may devote themselves to prayer and study. Members of some religious orders may participate in works of charity, service, or spiritual programs for churches or other persons. There are a number of monasteries affiliated with the Episcopal Church, including monasteries for men, for women, and a few for men and women together.