Desire for God in Christian life translates into following Jesus Christ. It is he who leads us to the Father by means of his gospel. The Rule of Saint Benedict written in the 6th century, provided a practical interpretation of the gospel for those who wished to devote their whole life to seeking God. The reform of Citeaux in 1098 sought to return to the simplicity of Saint Benedict, and it is this ideal that has inspired Cistercians to this day.
Desire for God which animates our monastic life is expressed and fostered in very simple and yet profound ways by the succession of prayer, reading, study, work, meals and community sharing of the gift of Christ with and in each other, in the context of our monastic vocation.