The enclosure of nuns is a sign of contradiction in today's world. What are the origins of cloistered life? Written by cloistered women, this unique book examines the question from a biblical, historical, spiritual and theological perspective, showing that the roots of enclosure plunge into the very origins of religious life of both men and women in the early Church, and examines forms of enclosure chosen and developed by women themselves.

Dom Jean Prou (1911-1999) was fifth Abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes and Abbot-President of the Solesmes Congregation from 1959 until his retirement in 1992. His high esteem for the vocation of enclosed nuns led to an invitation to oversee the international team of clostered Benedictine nuns from France, Canada and England who cooperated to write this book.