Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Ashley Bourne
A morning fog envelops Downside Abbey. "I remember arriving at the monastery -- it was cold, foggy, getting dark and absolutely nobody was around," Bourne said. "I walked around for about 20-30 minutes, trying to find somebody to point me in the right direction. There were many restricted doors and I didn't want to start my visit by being found somewhere I shouldn't. It was a little imposing."
A morning fog envelops Downside Abbey. "I remember arriving at the monastery -- it was cold, foggy, getting dark and absolutely nobody was around," Bourne said. "I walked around for about 20-30 minutes, trying to find somebody to point me in the right direction. There were many restricted doors and I didn't want to start my visit by being found somewhere I shouldn't. It was a little imposing."
Ashley Bourne
The library at Buckfast Abbey, the other monastery Bourne visited.
The library at Buckfast Abbey, the other monastery Bourne visited.
Ashley Bourne
Father Sebastien has been at Buckfast Abbey for nearly 65 years.
Father Sebastien has been at Buckfast Abbey for nearly 65 years.
Ashley Bourne
Boots are lined up in Downside Abbey.
Boots are lined up in Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
An altar in Buckfast Abbey.<br />
An altar in Buckfast Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
Father Leo pauses in Downside Abbey. Bourne shot entirely on film, and he said he had to use a tripod often because the monasteries can be quite dark.
Father Leo pauses in Downside Abbey. Bourne shot entirely on film, and he said he had to use a tripod often because the monasteries can be quite dark.
Ashley Bourne
A crucifix and relic in Downside Abbey.
A crucifix and relic in Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
The sacristy in Downside Abbey.
The sacristy in Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
Brother Daniel at Buckfast Abbey. "I wanted to portray religion in a positive light," Bourne said. "A monastic vocation or devotion of life to a spiritual service can be found in Buddhism, Hinduism, etc., and so the work primarily aims to highlight the beauty of this service."
Brother Daniel at Buckfast Abbey. "I wanted to portray religion in a positive light," Bourne said. "A monastic vocation or devotion of life to a spiritual service can be found in Buddhism, Hinduism, etc., and so the work primarily aims to highlight the beauty of this service."
Ashley Bourne
Bread and wine are set up for the Eucharist at Downside Abbey.
Bread and wine are set up for the Eucharist at Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
A postal cabinet in Downside Abbey.
A postal cabinet in Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
Brother Colombo lives in Buckfast Abbey.
Brother Colombo lives in Buckfast Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
The Sacred Heart Chapel in Downside Abbey.
The Sacred Heart Chapel in Downside Abbey.
Ashley Bourne
Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Ashley Bourne
Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Brother Joshua is one of the Benedictine monks at Downside Abbey in southern England. Photographer Ashley Bourne spent weeks living at Downside Abbey and another monastery to get a sense of what it was like there.
Ashley Bourne