The monastic life is not what it used to be. Reuters reports that many monasteries throughout the U.S. are connected to the Internet, and conduct their communications and business online. Some have their own websites for connecting with the public and selling goods. Monasteries are able to sell a wide range of products, such as books, music, incense, food, and wearables, through their websites. As for online communications, monks, according to this report, find email less intrusive than phone calls (I can relate to that).

There's also a site that serves the public's interest in monasteries - VocationsPlacement, basically a headhunting service that connects individuals interested in religious life with over 600 religious communities.

I find this phenomenon very comforting.

Via News.com.

Visit monastery websites:
Monasteryfruitcake.org, Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia
Mount Savior Monastery, Pine City, New York
God Alone, Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky
St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, FLorence, Arizona