Monastic Life in the East: "In its desire to transfigure the world and life itself in expectation of the definitive vision of God's countenance, Eastern monasticism gives pride of place to conversion, self-renunciation and compunction of heart, the quest for hesychia or inner peace, ceaseless prayer, fasting and vigils, spiritual combat and silence, paschal joy in the presence of the Lord and the expectation of his definitive coming, and the oblation of self and personal possessions, lived in the holy communion of the monastery or in the solitude of the hermitage." (VC 6 ¶ 3) Open to men or women, this vowed form of religious life may be lived in community or individually. Eastern monasticism is flourishing especially in the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Monastic Life in the West: "Inspired above all by Saint Benedict, Western monasticism is the heir of the great number of men and women who, leaving behind life in the world, sought God and dedicated themselves to him, 'preferring nothing to the love of Christ.' The monks of today likewise strive to create a harmonious balance between the interior life and work in the evangelical commitment to conversion of life, obedience and stability, and in persevering dedication to meditation on God's word (lectio divina), the celebration of the liturgy and prayer. In the heart of the Church and the world, monasteries have been and continue to be eloquent signs of communion, welcoming abodes for those seeking God and the things of the spirit, schools of faith and true places of study, dialogue and culture for the building up of the life of the Church and of the earthly city itself, in expectation of the heavenly city." (VC 6 ¶ 4) Open to men or women, this vowed form of religious life may be lived in community or individually. Benedictine communities flourish as an example of the Western monastic form of consecrated life.