The food was surprisingly good, considering that it was without meat and very simple. And the grounds were so beautiful and peaceful that one can actually imagine a person choosing to stay there for the rest of their lives. But the hardest part for me to believe was that these men wake up at three every morning to begin their day with prayer. Every single night, when everyone else is sleeping, they rise at the stroke of a bell to worship God with chanting of psalms and meditation upon Scripture. No sleeping in... ever!
I'm speaking of the monks of Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina. It is hidden about an hour outside of Charleston, overlooking a beautiful view of the Cooper River. I recently spent five days there on a silent retreat as part of the preparation for my priestly ordination in July. There were about nine other guests of various ages and vocations on retreat at the same time, staying in special guest houses spread throughout the abbey grounds. We were offered the unique experience of participating with the monks in their communal prayers, sharing their meals, and immersing ourselves in the monastery's peace and silence.
The abbey has about two dozen monks, ranging from several saintly-looking brothers in their eighties and nineties to several younger brothers in their twenties and thirties. They wear white robes with a black scapular, leather belt, and hood. (See the links below for photos.) By the time they celebrate Mass at 7:30 each morning, they have already spent four hours in prayer and worship! They will then spend the day in manual labor (most work on the abbey's chicken farm), pausing several times throughout the day to reunite in the chapel for prayer. Outside of conversations that are necessary for their work, the monks keep silence so as to better pray throughout all of the day's activities. And finally, after closing the day with night prayer, the brothers retire at 8:00 so that they will be ready to begin all over again at 3:00 the next morning!
A brother was once asked by a visitor, "So what do you do here?" The brother responded, "We pray." The visitor continued, "No, I mean, what do you do, why are you here?" Again the brother responded, "We're here to pray." Exasperated, the visitor cried, "But don't you guys run an orphanage or a hospital or something useful like that?" A third time, the brother explained, "No, our job is to pray. We pray for the entire world."
Living in our product-oriented culture, it is easy to react like that visitor and think, "What a waste of one's life! If they're going to make such a sacrifice, why don't they do something useful for society?" But Mepkin Abbey, and the thousands of monasteries and convents like it, reminds us that we were all created for the sole purpose of giving honor and praise to God. This is what brings true joy to our daily lives. How fortunate we are that religious communities like Mepkin Abbey exist, whose members are praying night and day not only for themselves, but for the entire world! Why not take a moment and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving for all of the cloistered brothers and sisters in the world, praying for us even though we've never met them!
Andrew Trapp
1/27/07
Photos I took at the abbey : www.saintfactory.com/mepkin.html
Mepkin Abbey's website : www.mepkinabbey.org
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Missing the Josephinum: Seminarian Zachary Kelly
When I returned to the Josephinum for my second semester, I was surprised as to how much I missed it. I’ve only been here for abut five months and yet I’ve grown so attached to it.
At the end of the first semester, the complaints were starting to mount among all of the students. People were having trouble with their classes, some were getting home sick, and formation could feel like a bomb waiting to explode. I thought for sure, after all of that, that I would want to stay on Christmas break forever. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As vacation drew on, I felt myself beginning to miss the seminary. I started reflecting on how fast the first semester went. Now, I wasn’t one who enjoyed high school. It was like pulling teeth for me. I thought the classes at the seminary would be the same, just going through the motions trying to skimp by. To my surprise, as I reflected on the first semester, I couldn’t believe how much fun I had in the classes. It felt like it wasn’t work at all. This is not to say that it wasn’t hard, but I am saying that it wasn’t a burden, as I was expecting. It turned out that I really loved my classes and did considerably well in most of them. Even the ones I didn’t do to well in, I hadn’t felt like I failed in the endeavor but that I simply was called to delve deeper into the subject.
What I found I missed the most, though, were the guys I’ve come to call my brothers. We’ve from all over the world to this place to study about God, and with that great mixture of persons comes a great mixture of personalities. Some of the students and the brightest and most interesting mix of people I’ve ever known. I have a friend I consider a great philosopher, another who sees God in all creation, one who sees God in every person he comes across and is “so sophisticated and superior” to quote a phrase from his brother. I had even come to miss the faculty. Consisting of some Jesuits, diocesan priests from around the world, and one wacky but lovable Dominican, the faculty is one of the greatest collection of minds I’ve ever come to experience.
There were a lot of things to miss about the Josephinum over Christmas break. That’s because there are a lot of things to love about the Josephinum. At this point, I’m not positive that God is calling me to be a priest. All I do know is that he’s calling me to be at the Josephinum at this point in time. He’s calling me to be a better Christian, and to counted among some of the greatest students in the world. I’ve come to realize, even in my short time here, that it’s truly a blessing to be here. It really is a great place to discern the will of God.
At the end of the first semester, the complaints were starting to mount among all of the students. People were having trouble with their classes, some were getting home sick, and formation could feel like a bomb waiting to explode. I thought for sure, after all of that, that I would want to stay on Christmas break forever. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
As vacation drew on, I felt myself beginning to miss the seminary. I started reflecting on how fast the first semester went. Now, I wasn’t one who enjoyed high school. It was like pulling teeth for me. I thought the classes at the seminary would be the same, just going through the motions trying to skimp by. To my surprise, as I reflected on the first semester, I couldn’t believe how much fun I had in the classes. It felt like it wasn’t work at all. This is not to say that it wasn’t hard, but I am saying that it wasn’t a burden, as I was expecting. It turned out that I really loved my classes and did considerably well in most of them. Even the ones I didn’t do to well in, I hadn’t felt like I failed in the endeavor but that I simply was called to delve deeper into the subject.
What I found I missed the most, though, were the guys I’ve come to call my brothers. We’ve from all over the world to this place to study about God, and with that great mixture of persons comes a great mixture of personalities. Some of the students and the brightest and most interesting mix of people I’ve ever known. I have a friend I consider a great philosopher, another who sees God in all creation, one who sees God in every person he comes across and is “so sophisticated and superior” to quote a phrase from his brother. I had even come to miss the faculty. Consisting of some Jesuits, diocesan priests from around the world, and one wacky but lovable Dominican, the faculty is one of the greatest collection of minds I’ve ever come to experience.
There were a lot of things to miss about the Josephinum over Christmas break. That’s because there are a lot of things to love about the Josephinum. At this point, I’m not positive that God is calling me to be a priest. All I do know is that he’s calling me to be at the Josephinum at this point in time. He’s calling me to be a better Christian, and to counted among some of the greatest students in the world. I’ve come to realize, even in my short time here, that it’s truly a blessing to be here. It really is a great place to discern the will of God.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Updates from the Holy Land: Seminarian Dave Schalk 1/10/07
[Greetings from the Holy Land! Most of this email was written in Galilee on January 5th. I was without an opportunity to send it to you until today, January 10th. Our group has since moved into the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. I expect another email with more current info will find its way to you soon.]
Realizing the fact that these updates can, unexpectedly and all of a sudden, reach a rather cumbersome length, I will attempt to limit this email considerably. Let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty. What happened this past week? The big news is that our group has moved out of our abode in Bethlehem and begun a one-week trek through Galilee.
The first two days of our journey were spent in Nazareth and its outlying areas. The most impressive site, in my opinion, was the cave that is traditionally held to be the home of the Holy Family. (Important historical note: The sparse population of 1st century Nazareth lived in caves. It can be believed, therefore, that Jesus, Mary, Joseph occupied an underground dwelling throughout their humble lives in Nazareth.) Above the cave is built a wonderful little church dedicated to St. Joseph, which I recommend everyone visit.
After our time in Nazareth, we made our way over to a pilgrim house that is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (I don’t want to describe our new digs as a “luxury hotel,” but you should know that we’re very comfortable.) The first day here afforded us the opportunity for a boat ride on the water, and some of the more stouthearted seminarians took a quick dip in the cold drink. It was a blast.
Very near our accommodations is located Capernaum, the heart and hotbed of Jesus’ ministry. He taught, healed, and performed miracles here. The place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, for example, is but a five-minute walk from my room. All of these intensely New Testament spots are right here, and seeing these holy sites inspires awe and leads to a deeper appreciation of familiar biblical texts.
Everyday our guide leads us to more and more ancient ruins, and Israel has no shortage of ancient ruins. Having seemingly heard the past thirty centuries of Holy Land history, I feel as if I’ve earned a degree in western civilization. It’s interesting to learn about all these places – but it’s enjoyable to relax at night after a long day of touring. Usually cards and beverages find their way into our hands after dinner.
We arrive in Jerusalem on Sunday, January 7th. 3 Paratroopers Road will be our address until we leave the Holy Land in February. The next six weeks are sure to bring more excitement, insight, and joy.
Until the next update, peace in the Middle East,
dave
1/10/07
Realizing the fact that these updates can, unexpectedly and all of a sudden, reach a rather cumbersome length, I will attempt to limit this email considerably. Let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty. What happened this past week? The big news is that our group has moved out of our abode in Bethlehem and begun a one-week trek through Galilee.
The first two days of our journey were spent in Nazareth and its outlying areas. The most impressive site, in my opinion, was the cave that is traditionally held to be the home of the Holy Family. (Important historical note: The sparse population of 1st century Nazareth lived in caves. It can be believed, therefore, that Jesus, Mary, Joseph occupied an underground dwelling throughout their humble lives in Nazareth.) Above the cave is built a wonderful little church dedicated to St. Joseph, which I recommend everyone visit.
After our time in Nazareth, we made our way over to a pilgrim house that is located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (I don’t want to describe our new digs as a “luxury hotel,” but you should know that we’re very comfortable.) The first day here afforded us the opportunity for a boat ride on the water, and some of the more stouthearted seminarians took a quick dip in the cold drink. It was a blast.
Very near our accommodations is located Capernaum, the heart and hotbed of Jesus’ ministry. He taught, healed, and performed miracles here. The place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, for example, is but a five-minute walk from my room. All of these intensely New Testament spots are right here, and seeing these holy sites inspires awe and leads to a deeper appreciation of familiar biblical texts.
Everyday our guide leads us to more and more ancient ruins, and Israel has no shortage of ancient ruins. Having seemingly heard the past thirty centuries of Holy Land history, I feel as if I’ve earned a degree in western civilization. It’s interesting to learn about all these places – but it’s enjoyable to relax at night after a long day of touring. Usually cards and beverages find their way into our hands after dinner.
We arrive in Jerusalem on Sunday, January 7th. 3 Paratroopers Road will be our address until we leave the Holy Land in February. The next six weeks are sure to bring more excitement, insight, and joy.
Until the next update, peace in the Middle East,
dave
1/10/07
Monday, January 8, 2007
Seekholiness Podcast: Jesus Jams December 2006
In this podcast, Father Josh Wagner of the Columbus Diocese, self proclaimed "entertainment incarnate" speaks passionately on the connections between Taco Bell and the Eucharist. Heresy? I think not.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Seekholiness Podcast: Jesus Jams December Homily
In this recording, Father Dave Young of the Diocese of Columbus speaks on our call to a Eucharistic Mission. This homily was given at the Jesus Jam on December 10th.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)