The first episode follows the men as they are introduced into the daily routine at Worth Abbey. It soon becomes clear that this crash course in monastic living is going to prove to be a bigger challenge than expected.The five quickly learn that making trips to the local shop for treats, listening to personal stereos and napping when they should be reading the Bible doesn’t exactly fit in with the Benedictine teachings of silence, obedience and humility. Tension begins to mount, leaving one of the group questioning why he is there and another undergoing an outpouring of emotions.

As the five volunteers approach the final two weeks of their stay, they are encouraged to consider how what they have learned will affect their lives back in the outside world.The volunteers have been in the monastery for four weeks and have each embarked on an intensely personal and spiritual journey.They have attended church six times a day and been introduced to St Benedict’s core monastic principles of silence, obedience and humility. – without the usual distractions of the outside world. Although in Episode 2, it seemed that Gary and Anthoney had resolved their differences, the pressure boils over again at what turns out to be a disastrous community meeting, and both are forced to look inwards at themselves. Despite the arguments, a scheduled visit to a neighbouring silent monastery goes ahead.The monks at Carthusian Parkminster do not normally open their doors to visitors and spend 18 hours a day in their rooms, working, studying and praying in silence. For the group, it’s a unique opportunity to experience monasticism in its purest form – and for some it proves to be a turning point. It’s been an invaluable experience for all of them but, for one volunteer in particular, the journey is about to come to a remarkable, and life-changing, conclusion.

As the five volunteers approach the final two weeks of their stay, they are encouraged to consider how what they have learned will affect their lives back in the outside world.The volunteers have been in the monastery for four weeks and have each embarked on an intensely personal and spiritual journey.They have attended church six times a day and been introduced to St Benedict’s core monastic principles of silence, obedience and humility. – without the usual distractions of the outside world. Although in Episode 2, it seemed that Gary and Anthoney had resolved their differences, the pressure boils over again at what turns out to be a disastrous community meeting, and both are forced to look inwards at themselves. Despite the arguments, a scheduled visit to a neighbouring silent monastery goes ahead.The monks at Carthusian Parkminster do not normally open their doors to visitors and spend 18 hours a day in their rooms, working, studying and praying in silence. For the group, it’s a unique opportunity to experience monasticism in its purest form – and for some it proves to be a turning point. It’s been an invaluable experience for all of them but, for one volunteer in particular, the journey is about to come to a remarkable, and life-changing, conclusion.