Loving God, In the stillness of the Abbey, we saw lives gently changed. You speak not in noise, but in silence— not in hurry, but in stillness.
Open my heart to Your quiet voice. Help me let go of distractions that crowd my soul. Teach me, like the women of the Abbey, to listen, to reflect, and to be open to growth.
May I learn to pause, to be present, and to see Your presence in the ordinary.
Guide me to live simply, to love deeply, and to find peace in Your sacred rhythm.
Amen.
Introduction
The Abbey (ABC,) – Series Summary The Abbey is a powerful Australian documentary series that follows the transformative spiritual journey of five women from various walks of life who spend 33 days living inside a Benedictine monastery. Filmed at Jamberoo Abbey, a secluded Benedictine community in New South Wales, the series offers a rare glimpse into the rhythm, silence, and spiritual discipline of monastic life.
The Participants: The five women come from diverse backgrounds—ranging from a single mother to a high-powered executive, a skeptic, a spiritual seeker, and a woman healing from personal loss. Each arrives with different expectations, struggles, and beliefs, but all are seeking something deeper—be it peace, healing, or clarity.
Question
As you watch the Video below you are to answer the following questions:
Why do you think the women agreed to spend time in a monastery? What were they hoping to find?
What are some of the daily routines in the Abbey? How are these routines different from your daily life?
Silence is a big part of monastic life. How do you think silence can help someone grow or change?
Which woman’s story or struggle did you find most interesting or relatable? Why?
What did the women learn about themselves while living at the Abbey? How did their experiences challenge them?
Monks and nuns live in community and focus on serving others. What can we learn from their way of life, even if we don’t become monks or nuns?
After watching The Abbey, would you ever try spending time in silence or retreat? Why or why not?
