An Austrian monastery, near Vienna (and also an order of Franciscan nuns), is offering men (and women) the opportunity to test drive life as a monk. To be honest, when I first saw this, I thought it was a prank, but I later confirmed it on the BBC News website, so I believe this to be a true offer.

However, I have now thought about this, and although the religious life is not a life I would consider, it is certainly seems to offer people an opportunity to devote their life to a greater power and to serve the local community through acts of charity, etc.

Over the last decade or two, as religion comes in and out of popularity, could this sort of “offer” entice people into the Church?