The monastic Community of Grandchamp is centered in the French-speaking region of Switzerland and it has a smaller branch, called Sonnenhof, in the German-speaking area.
Here are some pictures of the Sonnenhof chapel during Advent.
Simplicity and silence play a major role in the life of the nuns and their volunteers and retreat guests.
The Community focuses on this icon, the "icon of the Holy Trinity," which depicts the visit of the three angels to Abraham and Sarah at the Oak of Mamre.
A small bell is struck once to open each of the four daily offices (prayers).
You can just see her silhouette here in the darkness in the cloister outside the chapel, but the sister is ringing the bell to call everyone to compline, the last prayer of the night.
This is the bell and knotted rope, with the village of Gelterkinden below.
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UPDATE: To the folks dropping by from inSPIREd Sunday meme--you can see more about my monastic life as a volunteer for 2 months in the posts starting in November.
(Linking to inSPIREd Sunday blog.)
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More wonderful glimpses of the contemplative life (I guess it could be called that). That is a beautiful icon.
ReplyDeleteGreat details in this post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting place.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Poland.
Lucja
Simple and monastic looking, just lovely!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and informative Dina
ReplyDeleteThe simplicity appeals to me.
ReplyDeleteA very simple community
ReplyDeleteThe simplicity of it all almost reminds me of a zen like atmosphere. You're having such a wonderful experience, Dina.
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