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Worth Abbey in Crawley is offering internships to five young men, inviting them to learn more about the lives of  the monks and discover more about the role monasteries play in the modern age.

"Most people have an immediate sense of stepping into a different space, it's a very beautiful place," said Father Luke Jolly, who has been at Worth Abbey since 1980. "One of the things that [interns] are hoping might be the case, and are perhaps fearing, is turning away from social media and being in touch with everyone. A lot of people feel it's taken over their lives. If you stay for a bit longer, you're faced a with little bit more with yourself, and that's a really interesting spiritual journey - only good can come from it."

Fr Luke also said the programme was not linked to monastic vocations as such, adding, “We seek to judge its fruitfulness in any particular case in terms of growing in faith, hope and love.”

James, 26, enrolled in the internship when it was first launched last year. "Part of me coming here was to learn more about why people are religious, he said. "There are only two places in the UK that offer an internship at a monastery. I wasn't really sure [what to expect]. [I lived] amongst a community that are constantly trying to create an environment of gospel living, and I get to be part of that briefly [to] learn how they do it, why they do it and the origin of what it means. This is without a doubt the best time in my life and the most serene I've ever felt. This is the happiest I've ever been and I'd like to think that would be the same for any other young man."

The monastery offers full board and lodging in an area set aside for interns, in the peace and seclusion of the monastery and its grounds. It is hoped that the silence and prayerful atmosphere of the monastery and abbey church will help interns deepen their spiritual search.

Men aged 18 to 35 are invited to apply for the internship, which begins in May. Visit Worth Abbey's website to find out more and apply.

Sources: BBC News; The Tablet