How is Cistercian life related to other forms of Christian life?
From the very beginning of Christianity the various forms of Christian life have been compared to different organs of a single, living human body which are called to serve each other in diversity and unity. Through the totally unique event of the death and resurrection of Jesus, believing Christians mysteriously form the one Body of Christ. “We are members one of another” (Eph 4:25). The Spirit of the Risen Christ inspires, unifies and, at the same time, diversifies this Body, which is the Church. The Cistercian or Trappist vocation is an integral part of this structure: a fruit of the Holy Spirit, in communion with the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, at the service of the whole Church and the entire world. In practice, the different Christian vocations continue the work and presence of Jesus throughout human history. Christ s healing, teaching, preaching and service are embodied in persons and groups called to these ministries today. Trappists sense that the Spirit of Christ cal
