some chants from the- 'Monastic SISTERS of Bethlehem and the Assumption and St. Bruno- (Israel/France)
The worldwide Communities counts around 500 Members.(Primarily French speaking)
28 Monasteries of Monastic Sisters in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Austria, Egypt,Israel, Cyprus,Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, and soon in Algeria.
>>CD of all music available from any of the addresses at the end of the video.<<
The Community take on the local Liturgical and local language of the country where they dwell. while Hebrew/Arabic/Greek/French/Latin, are also regularly part of their chants.
FAMILLE MONASTIQUE DE BETHLEEM, DE L'ASSOMPTION DE LA VIERGE ET DE SAINT BRUNO
The 'Monastic Family of Bethlehem and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary'
took birth in 1950, following the promulgation of the Dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin.a Community in communion the Apostolic See of Rome. The Sisters were founded in France,1966,and the Brothers in France in 1976.
They are 2 geographically distinct Lavras of Hermits,one Congregation men-monks, the other of women-moniales, though with similar charism lifestyle and foundation.
The life of the Nuns is to love Jesus through Mary, and adore the Blessed Trinity in silence and solitude . It is Saint Bruno that the religious confide in, to guide them towards the hermit life. The life of the monastic family of Bethlehem is inspired by the model lauras or skites in Egyptian beginnings of Christian monasticism, where the monks lived in solitude through the week and gathered for the Holy Synaxis on Sunday.
The Sisters-(moniales) of Bethlehem pray, work, study, eat and sleep in their cells and hermitages. The monastic day begins with evening vespers celebrated in common in the chapel. Then,the Religious stand Vigil during the night "where they mount a holy and persevering watch, awaiting the return of their Master, in opening when he knocks" (San Bruno).
They then go to the oratory for Matins, followed by Lauds and the Eucharist. They are the only two times litur