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INTO GREAT SILENCE is an intimate portrayal and examination of the life of the devout monks who live within the Grande Chartreuse, the head monastery of the reclusive Carthusian Order situated in the French Alps.
Director: Philip Gröning
Share this film. Give others the chance to embrace the silence and learn from the story.
Visit the Musée de la Grande Chartreuse, which is located just over a mile away from the the Grande Chartreuse monastery itself.
Read the statutes, the writings of Saint Bruno and other Carthusian liturgy, all of which is freely available online in English.
Visit your local liquor store and pick up a bottle or two of Chartreuse liqueur, which the Carthusian monks distill and sell in order to financially support themselves.
Learn from the film. The Carthusian way of life is based on silence and contemplation. Consider incorporating some form of silent meditation into your everyday life as a means to self-improvement.
“The only goal of the Carthusian way is contemplation, by the power of the Spirit, living as unceasingly as possible in the light of the love of God for us, made manifest in Christ.
This implies a purity of heart, or charity : « Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. » (Mt 5:8)
Monastic tradition also calls this goal pure and continuous prayer.”
Find out more about the Carthusian way here.
“The Order of Chartreuse was more than 500 years old when, in 1605 t a Chartreuse monastery in Vauvert, a small suburb of Paris,the monks received a gift from Francois Hannibal d’ Estrées, Marshal of King’s Henri IV artillery : an already ancient manuscript from an “Elixir” soon to be nicknamed “Elixir of Long Life”.”
Find out how the Elixir of Long life came to be the Chartreuse liqueurs here.
An interview with New Yorker/Carthusian monk Father Michael Holleran.
HE WHO DEVOTED HIMSELF
Films that see religion humanized by sacrifice and devotion.
“I knew I wanted this to be a film that turns into an experience…”
Director Philip Gröning discusses life at the Grand Chartreuse monastary, the presens of God in the world, and his award winning film.
Check out the full article on Decent Films,
Listen to our playlist with music from the film on Spotify.
“Nuns are an endangered species. They are dying and not being replaced. If you think the news is bad now, a world without nuns would be a far worse place. The nuns that I know are much too humble to tout their achievements and all of the good they contribute to society, but make no mistake, they are an integral part of the fabric that holds our civilization together.”
Find out more about todays progressive nuns, the work they do and the criticism they receive from the Vatican here.
Feel like educating yourself on the subject of monasticism? If so you might like the World History Centers article offering a brief history of different types of devotees.
From both Western and Eastern Cultures, the life of a Monk is a unique one.
Explore the text to learn more about this fascinating path.
The Huffington Post lists the top 10 silent retreat centers in the United States.
“It’s called the hidden life,” he says. “No wonder you weren’t aware of it. But it is alive and well and living here in England, Scotland and Wales.” It is hard to be precise about numbers. Hermits, after all, tend not to be over keen on announcing themselves.
Our 24-hour, technologically connected age makes life as a true loner both more appealing and more achievable. The Telegraph goes in search of those who choose to live in solitary
"Simple and sublime"
Andrew Trac
"A poetic essay on the slowed-down rhythms of life"
Variety
"INTO GREAT SILENCE unfolds with its own gentle, unforced rhythms"
Roger Ebert.com
