'MODEM Monks' (Thursday, July 11, BBC Two Wales), is the heart-warming story of the monks of Caldey Island, and their struggle to make ends meet in the modern world of commerce. Presented by Fi Glover, the documentary discovers how the brothers have turned to a webshop as a way to market their goods while preserving their isolation.
Since the sixth century, the island has been home to a variety of religious communities and is now occupied by 18 Cistercian monks. They make vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and observe a rule of silence from dawn to dusk. Only occasionally are they allowed to leave the island. Several have lived on Caldey for decades.
Explained Brother Robert: "I came here in 1960. The return ticket from London, I remember, was £4-10-0. Much to the disgust of my novice master, I bought a return just in case I wasn't going to stay very long."
It's a colourful brotherhood, nevertheless, for Father Daniel is from the Netherlands and there are several other nationalities drawn from diverse backgrounds and disciplines - one was a bomber pilot in the Second World War, another a missionary in India and Jamaica.
For years, farming was a mainstay of income, but is now less so, with tourism helpful to the financial cause - in the short summer season up to 50,000 day trippers make their way across from the mainland.
The monks are supported by some 20 lay people, who live alongside the monastery. One, John Cattini, is the order's commercial manager. Other demands on him are as lighthouse attendant and volunteer fireman. Cattini's specially blended range of perfumes, made to traditional formulas dating back many years, sell well in the island shop and are now being sold via the monks' own website.