For almost 3 hours, I sat mesmerized by this marvelous Documentary about the hidden life at the Motherhouse of the Carthusian Order at Le Grande Chartreuse near Grenoble, France in the spectacular French Alps.

Dialogue is limited to a very few interviews with these Hermit/Monks….and is then in French. I found the ‘Investiture’ of the Postulants who were becoming Carthusian Novices of special interest. It was almost identical to the time I was invested in the Novice’s Habit of a Trappist Monk at Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia.

“QUID PETITIS” the Abbot asks of the men standing before him. “What do you seek?”

“MISERICORDIAM DEI ET ORDINIS”……we reply. “The Mercy of God and of the Order”.

It was most sentimental when these young Carthusian Monks went before each Monk to receive his “PAX” – Kiss of Peace and embrace…..and so it was when I was invested with the Cistercian Habit while the rest of the Community chanted the Litany of the Saints.

I await the release of the DVD in the U.S.A.

It was while I was searching for this movie, that I came across reference to: “AN INFINITY OF LITTLE HOURS” by Nancy Klein Maguire.
This is a remarkable book about five young men who enter St. Hugh’s Charterhouse/Monastery at Parkminster, England. Nancy Klein Maguire follows each of these Monks as they go through their Postulancy, Novitiate up to Solemn Vows. Only one of the five men remain for Solemn Vows.

This book makes a marvelous companion to “INTO GREAT SILENCE”. They both came about at the same time, but were never a collaborative achievement.

I read Nancy Klein Maguire’s book first and then was fortunate to see the Movie.

I recommend “AN INFINITY OF LITTLE HOURS” AND “INTO GREAT SILENCE”. Anyone who is able to acquire the book and see the movie will be doubly blessed.

Both of these works will give one a feeling of walking through the Cloisters of St. Hugh’s and Le Grande Chartreuse and of the Thunder of Silence that awaits those who are fortunate to enter, rest and pray therein.