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Coeli

Gods House Monks House

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The Carthusian Order was ordered to establish two foundations in Portugal (Evora and Lisbon). In the

XIXth century both monasteries were subject to persecution. The Monastery in Evora was restored in the

XXth centur b Vasco Eu enio de Almeida.

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Hermitages made from bricks and limestone for the monks (the Ladder)

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A golden and marble palace for God (the Heaven)

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Building plans from the XVIth century, and plans of the ruins from the XIXth century

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The monastery is protected by land, a desert of 80 hectares.

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Cames dedicated a

poem to the aqueduct

that runs through it, in

Os Lusadas.

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To the visitor the

monastery seems to bediscreetly hidden.

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... however, behind the

aqueduct we find Scala

Coeli...

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. ... which looks like a monte alentejano, a countryestate.

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We are now going to visit theMonksHouse behind this

beautiful cloister.

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Coat of arms ofScala Coeli over

the church door.

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The largest cloister in Portugal.

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This cloister is considered

to be one of the most

cheerful of the Order.

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The arches are like another

aqueduct, taking the prayersfrom the cells to the feet of

Our Holy Lord Jesus

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The church tower and the clock give a

certain rhythm to the monasterys life.

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The Virgin of Ftima, in the middle of the cloister, is the queen of Scala Coeli.

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More than a hundred monks,

precursors of the present-day monks,

are buried beneath these crosses.

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Vertical and horizontal cross tobless the whole of the eternal

sleep.

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The cemetery is the last rung on this Ladder to Heaven.

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For Christians, the cemetery is a Spring-like sign of hope.

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Wider and more open than those

located in other climates, this

cloister opens the heart.

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The southern light

invades Scala Coeli.

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The arch is of the mainmonastic line.

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All this greenery (cypresses,box, orange trees...) is

perennial.

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The Carthusian silence: allyou can hear is the noise of

the water and the birds.

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This painting of Our Lord isthe only piece of the former

decoration of the monastery

left.

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...and on a vault is theBragana coat of arms from

the XVIth century with the

ducal crown.

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...on another dome we findthe same coat of arms but this

time with the royal crown.

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The carthusian cloister is an

ideal place for the peace of

contemplation.

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Surrounding the cloister we find the hermitages designed for the solitude of the

Carthusian monk.

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We will now visit the most typically

carthusian part of the monastery:

the cells.

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Next to the door theres

an opening to receive

food.

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From a psychological point of view, a long seclusion requires wide

spaces.

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The Carthusian monk isaccompanied only by God,

blessed by the Virgin

Mothers protection.

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A little oratory is situated on the monks

cell for the solitary liturgy.

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Reading feedscontemplation.

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Essential rest. The division of the rest

period is typically carthusian.

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The necessary heat. In the Alentejo the cold weather doesntlast long.

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Eating alone is another

typical carthusian activity.

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Each cell has a

spacious garden.

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Saint Bruno wanted to renew the life of the

hermits who were lost in the desert.

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Contact with nature brings one

closer to the Creator

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The small community

cloister.

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As it is used in festivities, its

architecture is more decorous

than that of the solitude cloister.

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In the XVIIIth century blue was in fashion; hence the origin of the word

azulejo (glazed tile).

The sundial is a piece of art in bas-relief. There is only one other sundial in

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p f f y

Portugal similar to this one.

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The community say

mass together on

Sundays and

festivities.

h f h l

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The refectory is the place

where, after singing the

sext, the Brothers eat

together while they listen

to a reading.

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. In the Chapter House an

important meeting takes

place after the nones. Inthis meeting the Brothers

plan for the week ahead,

they celebrate their

elections and they take the

Holy orders.

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Chapel of the Virgin of Ftima. In this chapel, after Evesong, the Brothers receive

ongoing training from the Fathers.

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Entrance to the Library, where

books are kept, reading being

done in the cells.

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Saint John the Baptist, man of

the desert, patron saint of theCarthusian order.

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The Founding Saint with themitre, which he twice refused, at

his feet.

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The Angel of Portugal.

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In the XIXth century the library was

pillaged, it was rebuilt after restoration in

the XXth century.

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The monks saying has always been ora et labora.

Carthusian monks are poor, they

dont have servants and have to do

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dont have servants and have to do

everything themselves.

Everyone works on their own,

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in a different area, but they are

bound to Our Lord in their

souls.

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What is made for Our Lordhas to be well done

Its a mutual service performed by Brother to

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It s a mutual service performed by Brother to

Brother, as they are Brothers in Christ.

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The Brothers are real professionals in their particular job.

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Working in a nice environment helps

spiritual life.

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The community meets to talk twice a week and during

festivities.

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Once a week they have a

walk and a chat in the

countryside.

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On Sundays and during festivities

they rest together at their country

house, where they have a

beautiful reservoir.

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The Countshouse is used as

guest quarters until the

restoration of the ruins.

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... It is decorated with paintings by

Fray Miguel, the painter Brother.

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The parlour is situated outsidethe cloister and is used by the

monks families on their visits.

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A life of solitude enlightens

and enriches the heart of the

Carthusian monk with the fireof the Holy love, with which

they become as one.

Designed and written by:

Juan Mayo Escudero

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Juan Jos Nicasio Llach Antnio M Gis Laura Fuentes Olea

Juan Mayo Escudero

www.juanmayo.net

Thank you!

With the voices of: