"Ora et labora", that Benedictian principle, really says it all. Monks would "pray and work" all day long, being self-sustaining in terms of food. The food would be good, though!
The most important thing in their lives was prayer. Aside from that, they were expected to do Bible readings, meditate and perform manual labor. They had strict rules and based their daily routine around the eight sacred offices. They wore scapula (a simple robe) over a tunic (a long shirt).
