The Abbey

In the very first episode, Sister Hilda takes us into the hidden world of the Abbey as she welcomes the five women. Each is given her own ‘cell’ and a taste of monastic life. However, waking up at 4am for prayer and having to follow the Rule of Silence, Obedience and Renunciation prove to be a shock for all. Tusa wonders how she’ll be able to cope without alcohol and chocolate, Robyn wonders how she’ll cope without a hair dryer, and Tammy gives up several emotional ‘safety blankets’. Lyn doesn’t know what to expect, and Meg just seems to be happy with some peace and quiet. By week’s end however, the novelty is wearing off and the deprivations of monastic life are beginning to bite. Sister Hilda wonders if they’ll be able to survive each other as well as the demands of a life about to hit them hard.

They’re now well into their second week, and all the women are struggling with the demands of monastic life, homesickness, and coming to terms with confronting their own personal demons. Also, not everyone is gelling with one another, and even the calming influence of Sister Magdalene’s meditation sessions isn’t helping. Lucky the Sister-mentors are on hand. Craft-work, farming and prayer provide welcome respite for some, but challenges for others. As our five women witness a postulant’s graduation as she is clothed in the habit of a novice, there is some respite as the women get to relax with the community at a rare get together, without silence. Here they have the chance to ask these reclusive nuns what this life offers them. After they witness real commitment, Sister Hilda urges the women to go deeper. But, there’s resistance on all sides!

It’s the final episode of The Abbey and crunch time as our five women learn what it is the nuns really want them to share. It produces unexpected revelations where even the unshakeable Sister Hilda is shocked! Long buried dreams are also examined, and a surprising journey of faith is undertaken. Sister Hilda questions whether some will back away from what’s on offer, and the nuns explore what it means for them in renouncing family, career, and the world outside the enclosure. By day 33, as the women prepare to leave, it’s now clear that each will be taking with them something they didn’t expect to find at the Abbey.