"Recreation" comes from the Latin recreatio, meaning "renewal" or "re-creation." It’s a beautiful word for the time of rest and communal relaxation. Our daily life in the monastery is structured around periods of prayer and work. During work, speaking is minimized unless necessary, which leaves few opportunities for conversation during the day. This, of course, has its benefits. Silence, especially during meals, is something I truly appreciate. On feast days, the spoken meal becomes a special treat, but on regular days, there isn’t much new or exciting to discuss. Daily life in a monastery tends to follow a consistent rhythm, and we often sit next to the same sisters, limiting conversation topics even further.
However, there is one time each day when we can converse freely—during Recreation, which takes place between dinner and Compline. The sisters gather informally, many working on handicrafts, and enjoy a relaxed time of conversation. Some sisters use this time to play games. I've learned to play Canasta from them, and I always look forward to the chance to play a round. Often, the time isn’t enough to finish a game, so we eagerly anticipate the next day when we can continue and find out who will win.
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