In medieval times, anchorites would have a small cell next to a church. They would spend time in prayer and manual labor.   St. Colette of Corbie began her religious life in an anchorhold:  “The abbot took care of all the material preparations and ordered a small anchorhold to be built next to the church of St. Stephen. It consisted of three small rooms, very small, a detail that is emphasized by all sources. The first faced the street and served as a parlor, there was a small grille in the wall for speaking to visitors; the second had no furniture, but only a little bit of hay on which to rest and a few utensils. The innermost space was the most important, because a small window had been cut in the wall next to the church that permitted participation in liturgical celebrations and adoration of the Lord present in the Tabernacle. This was the oratory.”   -  Sister Chiara Giovanna Cremaschi O.S.C., Poor Clare historian                        (see also February 6^th)