Paparčių Aušrinės Marijos vienuolynas, Contemplative monastery in Paparciai, Lithuania
The monastery in Paparciai is a complex with 16 hermitages separated by stone walls, where nuns live in individual cells dedicated to prayer and meditation. The layout was designed specifically for this contemplative way of life, with each cell providing space for personal spiritual practice.
The monastery was founded in 1994 when Archbishop Audrys Juozas Backis invited the first Bethlehem sisters to Lithuania. This establishment marked the arrival of a new form of monastic life in the country after decades of isolation.
The nuns follow a strict rhythm with seven prayer times daily, marked by the church bell that structures their spiritual routine. Visitors can observe this pattern and sense how silence shapes everyday life in this community.
One hermitage is reserved specifically for lay visitors seeking periods of solitude and spiritual reflection. It is important to have appropriate expectations and be aware that access is limited and prior arrangement is necessary.
The nuns meet face-to-face only on specific occasions, with Mondays designated as Desert Day for internal communication among the community. This practice underscores their radical commitment to individual contemplation over constant interaction.
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