Spanish painter to become Trappist monk after seeing film on cloistered life

The Sevillian painter noted that his period of discernment has not been painful because “it has to be a form of suffering not knowing what to do, where to go… it’s clear to me that God has called me.” This is not an escape for him. Méndez said he has lived “a full life” up to now in his family and professional life.

Until recently, he taught painting classes to 50 people and had numerous commissions. When the film awakened his vocation, he was in the middle of very normal everyday life: He had a bathroom renovation halfway done and was about to move to the town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda located where the Guadalquivir River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Before entering the monastery, he still had numerous professional commitments to attend to, such as sending several portraits to Luxembourg and Belgium.

‘My new job is to pray’

In any case, he has to let go of material things, which is not always easy, especially because of the sentimental value. Méndez emphasized that “it’s been a very beautiful process, not without very emotional moments,” since it’s not just a matter of his belongings but also of family mementos of all kinds.

However, the process isn’t making him hesitate: “The decision is so radical that there’s a specific emotional shock, and that’s it,” said the monk-to-be, who has preferred to give away some paintings and to give his books to friends.

He still doesn’t know if he will be able to continue dedicating himself to religious painting, as he has already done in the past within the walls of the monastery, although he’s not worried. “Painting is secondary and the prior will decide at the time, but it is not my intention, because my new job is to pray,” he said.

The film 

“Libres,” the first documentary film that managed to go beyond the walls of 12 Spanish cloistered convents in an unprecedented journey into the interior of these communities and the lives of their inhabitants, was released in Spain in April 2023.

“Libres” soon became an international success that has captivated thousands of viewers around the world. The movie was directed by Santos Blanco and produced by Bosco Films in collaboration with the DeClausura Foundation, which is helping the monastic communities in Spain survive the many challenges facing them.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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