By LOGAN KEETER
November 23, 2006

I was flipping through the channels a few days ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I stumbled upon a suprising turn in reality television. The show that I came across -- and quickly became a fan of -- was a new “observational documentary” called The Monastery.

This TLC special is a spin on reality television that follows five men with VERY different personalities and backgrounds through a voluntary six-week period of living in a strict Benedictine Monastery. While the men are living at the Monastery they must conform to the rules set by the church that resident monks must follow on a day-to-day basis. They are asked to take part in the regimen of prayer, studies, manual work inside and outside of the Monastery, and reflection time. While some of the men have little to no problem conforming to the rules, others find them difficult to perform. It is intensely interesting to watch each separate individual grow within the Benedictine rule and also within themselves.

The Monastery itself is “The Monastery of Christ in the Desert” in a beautiful northern New Mexico town called Abiquiu. While there are no cars, businesses, or usual findings within a city, it is definitely not lacking in scenery. The monastery is led by Abbot Philip Lawrence, my personal favorite within the show. Among the men who chose to stay at the monastery to try and get their life back on track is Warren Huber, a survivor of childhood abuse who actively dreams of becoming an Episcopal priest in the future. Alex Nicoll is a twenty-three year old ex- marine who just returned from Iraq after losing a leg. Jon Willoughby proves to be the most controversial person on the show, a paramedic non-believer still coping with the suicide of a best friend. The oldest one from the group is Tom Kramer, a previous Catholic and recovered drug addict and alcoholic. Last, but not least, is the class clown of the group, William Morales, a former gang leader who turned his life around after his brother was shot.

These men, along with the admirable monks on the show, help create not only good television but also a supreme learning experience. I don’t know how many times I have glanced at our own Benedictine Monastery and wondered “Hmm. I wish I knew what exactly went on up there.” While the monastery here at Belmont Abbey and The Monastery of Christ in the Desert are very different, they are both closed communities that follow ancient regimens and utmost discipline. This window into such a respected and interesting life is very powerful to watch, and although there may be some controversy about the opening of these doors to laypersons, I think when all is said and done America will have learned a lot about the Benedictine life and traditions.

I encourage everyone to watch at least one episode of The Monastery. It can be viewed Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on The Learning Channel. After you catch the first one, make sure you remember to leave an hour to spare on Sunday nights, because The Monastery is simply a miracle to television.