ABSTRACT
Economy and monasticism may at first sight appear to be an oxymoron; a strange association of two realities. There is no specific word for the economy of other religious orders, like beggars or apostolic. One of the reasons for this is that the majority of monastic orders have to develop a productive economy of their own. In apostolic orders, religious brothers and sisters are often paid for their mission. The economy in monastic life unfolds on three levels: on the personal level of each monk and nun in their relationship with work and the economy, at the community level and finally on the level of relationships with the outside world. The study of monastic life in an unfamiliar context cannot be disconnected from the general social context, otherwise monastic specificities could potentially be confused with societal norms. In addition, interviews were conducted with lay people who are concerned with the economy of the monastery: accountants, employees and client.
