CHURCH:
The organization of the monastery is directed to bringing the monks into close union with Christ. This is the meaning to the fundamental characteristic of Cistercian life, simplicity. This is no where better expressed than in the monastery church. Making use of proportion, the play of natural light and shadow, the Cistercian church is a statement of God who is simple and of human person made in God’s image and likeness. Creating a space free from clutter the church allows the Cistercian monk to respond in love to the Trinitarian God by the most direct of paths; Scripture (liturgy) and Sacrament. So important is a Cistercian church that what is symbolizes and what is done there pervades all other monastic spaces and in fact the entire environment from buildings, clothes, food, work and prayer.