What You Should Watch During Lent/Easter

Over Christmas break I recommended a couple of my favorite documentaries to tame the holiday craziness. As we slowly approach Lent (it's late this year) I want to recommend another documentary to watch called This Side of Eden. It chronicles the daily life of Benedictine monks in British Columbia, Canada (my home and native land, as the anthem goes).  I am biased about this documentary because I have a personal connection to this abbey. I have been a guest here attending annual retreats with different groups (Legion of Mary, vocation discernment) and I have enjoyed that Benedictine hospitality.  Watching this documentary and recognizing so many of the monks was like being home again, home in British Columbia and home in the faith.  I even challenged my husband to move us back there so the boys can go to the minor seminary at the abbey. The curriculum is a dream!  And he has been there with me so I think I have a strong case :-)

There are many nuggets of wisdom imparted in this documentary that is helpful to me as a mother. I have pondered the vows of stability that monastics make and have come to a slow understanding of it over the years as I try to grow roots in a land that isn't my own with five kids to boot.  Watching this has helped that understanding a little bit more.  My kids enjoyed watching this as well, I think it was fascinating for them when I would point out who is whom and what they did at the abbey.  They particularly liked one scene during Science lab as they were doing an experiment at the minor seminary classroom (a popping balloon was involved) we rewind that section a lot.

Here's a quick trailer then go over to Ignatius Press to get your own copy.  I promise you won't regret the splurge! I will post an update EWTN re-broadcasts. Pretty sure they will air it during Lent.