Monastery Tours
The garth is the heart of the enclosure. It represents the ’closed in’ world of the monk separated from the world.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged, what are human beings that you should keep them in mind, mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8
So the water has been wholesome to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke. 2 Kings 2
Often the garth contains a fountain which is symbolic of the life of Christ as well as the heavenly Jerusalem.
If she is a wall, we will build upon her a battlement of silver... Song of Songs 8
...but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. Song of Songs 8
Many of the important areas of the monastery lead off from the cloister. Here is the entrance to the sacristy.
The cloister, meaning ’enclosed,’ is the symbol of the monastery.
All of the cloister windows look out upon the garth.
Cistercian monks and nuns are especially devoted to the Virgin Mary.
Along the wall leading to the Chapel, an area of little traffic, are the Stations of the Cross.
Before the advent of electricity, monks would gather along one wing of the cloister for daily spiritual reading--this wing became known as the ’reading cloister.’
Greeting everyone who enters the cloister is this reminder of the glory of Mary, the Mother of God.
Traditionally, a door from each wing of the cloister leads to the garth.
Trappist monasteries are known for their hospitality. The Guest Master is always ready to help schedule a retreat or a visit.
Rooms in the Guest House are simple but comfortable. All include private baths and showers.
The Guest Library contains many choices for spiritual reading--from the Fathers and Mothers of the Church through contemporary selections about prayer and meditation.
Our gift Shop offers a wide variety of spiritual items for yourself and for gifts. Check out the New Melleray coffee mugs.
The Coffee Room is open 24 hours a day and includes coffee and tea. Try a cookie--they are delicious.
Meals are served for guests three times a day. Although meat is served, there are many vegetarian options available.
The Guest Chapel, located directly beneath the main church, offers a place of quiet for prayer and meditation.
Jesus ’went apart’ when he prayed. Visit our Guest House for a time apart, a time of quiet prayer and reflection.
For the love of the house of Lord I will ask for your good. Psalm 122 Psalm 121
How great is your goodness, Lord, that you show to those who trust you. Psalm 20
I think of your name. Psalm 118
I will rejoice in you and be glad, and sing psalms to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9
It is good to give thanks to the Lord on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, with the murmuring sound of the harp. Psalm 91
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ’Let us go to the house of God.’ Psalm 121
Seven times a day I praise you. Psalm 118
I lift up my hands in prayer to your holy place. Psalm 27
The lands of sunrise and sunset you fill with your joy. Psalm 64
In the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness. Luke 1
By night I will sing to him, praise the God of my life. Psalm 41
They shall pray for him without ceasing and bless him all the day. Psalm 71
I will bless the Lord who even at night directs my heart. Psalm 15
Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips. Psalm 140
By your word revive me, teach me your statutes. Psalm 118
Your love for me has been great: you have saved me from the depths of the grave. Psalm 85
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Psalm 22
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. Psalm 22
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the house of the Lord shall I dwell for ever and ever. Psalm 22
The Celtic Cross in the cemetery commemorates the monks who came to this spot from Mount Melleray in Ireland over 150 years ago.
Man goes forth to his work to labor till evening falls. Psalm 103
They sow fields and plant their vines; these yield crops for the harvest. Psalm 106
Your river in heaven brims over to provide its grain. Psalm 64
You care for the earth, give it water, you fill it with riches. Psalm 64
How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches. Psalm 103
You make the grass grow and the plants to serve our needs. Psalm 103
You crown the year with your goodness. Abundance flows in your steps. Psalm 64
The earth has yielded its fruit for God, our God, has blessed us. Psalm 66
As chosen ones of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Col 3
The sacristy, just off the chapel, is where the priests vest for mass, and where the monks keep the white cowls they wear for some of the offices.
You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self. Eph 4
In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will. Psalm 39
I will clothe her priests with salvation and her faithful shall ring out their joy. Psalm 131
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory. Psalm 23
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Psalm 29
In the scaristy, priests prepare themselves for Mass and monks prepare themselves to participate in the Divine Office.
The mouth of the just man utters wisdom and his lips speak what is right; the law of his God is in his heart. Psalm 36
Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. Psalm 50
The library of the monks is well-stocked with spiritual works from throughout the ages. The librarian adds several new books to the collection every month.
Besides books, the library subscribes to a large number of journals and magazines on spiritual and religious topics. The library also receives daily newspapers and weekly news magazines.
Because of the preponderance of religious and spiritual works in our library, our classification system is a bit different from most public libraries, but we still use the old-fashioned card catalogue to find our way around.
My lips will speak words of wisdom. My heart is full of insight. Psalm 48
Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth, and teach me. Psalm 24
The library has been a part of the monastery from the very beginning. These books were brought by monks from Mount Melleray in Ireland in 1848. The inscription indicates they were originally owned by the Abbot of Melleray Abbey in France, probably in the 17th century.
The monastery is a place of quiet and solitude--our environment, beginning with our front door, supports this ’time apart with Christ.’
The enclosure wall reminds our guests that ours is a life of separation from the world, a place and life of quiet reflection.
Our Abbey provides for our guests and visitors a ’time apart’ for prayer.
When the weather is warm, it is pleasant to wander around our spacious front yard.
Besides being a monastery, we support ourselves by making wooden caskets and by farming.
When monks came here in 1849, there was just prairie. The magnificent trees lining the drive were all planted by them, and attest their faith that God smiles favorably upon their community.
Visiting the monastery is both a time of spiritual enrichment and of bodily rest.
All about us, we are reminded that we are farmers, and that we live ’by the sweat of our brows.’
We are most happy to announce the opening of our new Infirmary. In this picture you can see the deck outside of the sunroom on the second floor and the enclosed area below where patients can be moved in and out of our van for visits to the doctor or hospital.
This is a picture of the wide and well-lit corridors in the new Infirmary. It is now much easier to move patients in and out of their rooms to visit the sunroom, the Chapel or the therapy rooms.
Here is the spacious gathering area outside of the Chapel. This area makes it much easier to move our bed-ridden monks to and from the Chapel. In addition, the doors of the Chapel and the room opposite can be opened to allow the monk in that room to participate in services in the Chapel without having to leave his room.
Here is our new Chapel. All of the Chapel furnishings were designed by our long-term friend, Matt Kramer.
The next three pictures are of our new sunroom. This room was designed to provide the monks who are confined to the Infirmary a place to go to get out of their rooms and to enjoy the sunlight that pours in from all directions.
The sunroom also provides an area for monks to receive visitors, a place to read and pray, and magnificent views of the back of the monastery and the fields stretching off into the distance.
The sunroom also contains a complete kitchen. Here the meals are prepared for the monks who are confined to the Infirmary.
The altar is cut from native sandstone. All of the furnishings in the room lend themselves to a light and spacious area conducive to prayer.
You, O Lord, are my lamp, My God who lightens my darkness. Psalm 17
There are several meditation chapels in the monastery. This one is located directly below the sanctuary of the Abbey Church.
Traditionally, icons are ’written,’ not ’painted.’.
At that same time, with hands outstretched toward the window, she prayed and said, ’Blessed are you, merciful God! Blessed is your name forever; let all your works praise you forever.’ Tob 3
To my words give ear, O Lord, give heed to my groaning. Attend to the sound of my cries, my King and my God. Psalm 5
May the Lord send you help from his sanctuary and give you support from Zion. Psalm 19
When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the bench of the judges at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew ’Gabbatha’. John 19
As for people, their days are like grass; they flower like the flower of the field; the wind blows and they are gone and their place never sees them again. Psalm 102
Come, children, and hear me that I may teach you the fear of the Lord. Psalm 33
The Chapter House is traditionally located right next to the church. It is a place where the community meets for instruction and special ceremonies.
The Chapter House gets its name from the medieval custom in monasteries of reading out to the community a chapter from Scripture or the ’Rule’ each day.
Traditionally the Abbot of the monastery presides at meetings of the community. This picture and the next, however, are from the installation of a new Abbot. The seated monk is the ’Presider’ at the election.
Here the newly elected Abbot publicly recites the Creed before all the assembled members of the community.
O that today you would listen to his voice! Psalm 94
O sing him a song that is new, play loudly, with all your skill. Pslam 32
O peoples, bless our God, let the voice of his praise resound. Pslam 65
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just! O come, ring out your joy, all you upright of heart. Psalm 31
Ring out your joy to God, our strength, shout in triumph to the God of Jacob. Pslam 80
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