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There are 188 guestbook entries in 19 pages and you are on page number 16

Comments by Brad Clarke on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
After attending mass quite regularly at New Melleray, I notice "job" differences within the monastery. How are the decisions made pertaining to the brothers that will be in charge of singing etc.? How are brothers chosen to become priests within the order? 
Some ministries in service of the community are rotated on a weekly basis, and others are permanent appointments. Lector, Reader in the Refectory, Leader for Liturgy of the Hours, Acolyte, etc, are appointed by the cantor each week. Cantor and Assistant Cantor, Novice Director, Prior and Sub-Prior, Accountant, Farm Manager, Trappist Caskets Manager, Guest Master, etc, are offices appointed by the Abbot for as long as he wills. The abilities of the person and the needs of the community determine the abbot's choices for these various responsibilities. The call to priestly ministry within the community comes from the abbot. A monk may manifest a willingness for the service of priesthood, but it is the abbot's decision in consultation with the individual, the council, and the community. Studies in preparation for ordination are done both within the monastery and at an accredited seminary.  

Comments by amanda on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What is the best way to get/keep in touch with a person that is at the abbey?
Initially, the best way is by a personal letter. And then to ask the monk what he would prefer.  

Comments by Peter Augustyn on Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
How hard is it,to open a new Monastery in different country?
It usually takes several years of planning to make a foundation in a different country. During the past half century most of the new foundations in our Order have been made in foreign countries. A few short years of preparation is not very long compared to decades and centuries that a new monastery may be in existence.

Comments by Peter Augustyn on Thursday, January 13, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What contact do you have with family members, when they live in different countries (overseas)? 
We receive visits from family members at the monastery several times a year, and we keep in close contact with relatives and friends by correspondence. Normally, we do not visit family members in their homes. But if serious hardship prevents family members from coming to the monastery it might be necessary for a monk to go them. Such hardships are grave illness, death of a family member, poverty and tragedy. Distance, either cross country or overseas, is not a necessity unless poverty prevents family members from traveling. Then the monastery may provide financial assistance, or it might be necessary for a monk to visit them.   

Comments by Meaghan on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What problems can the monastery have that are rare and wouldn't occur anywhere else? Also, what does monastic life really mean?? 
What does it mean? To pray more.

One rare problem that only happenes in a monastery is an "abbot in commendam." That is, a dignitary with the title of abbot, supported by the monastery, but living elsewhere. In the Middle Ages this was a serious abuse that led to the decline of monasteries. One distinguished classical scholar, Armand-Jean de Rance, who became a doctor of the Sorbonne and was ordained a priest in 1651 held five benefices in commendam including the Cistercian Abbey of la Trappe. He led a worldly life until the sudden death of Mme de Monbazon in 1657 caused a dramatic conversion. He divested himself of all his benefices except la Trappe. After a year's novitiate he was blessed as the regular abbot of la Trappe in 1664 and became a leader in the reform movement of the Strict Observance, from which we have the popular name, "Trappists."     

Comments by kent w. on Sunday, January 2, 2005 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
If a man were to be widowed before age 45 could he still become a monk? 
Yes, he could, if he also has the attraction, aptitude and acceptance necessary to live the monastic way of life.

Comments by Droze Kern on Monday, December 27, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Do the monks at New Melleray spend any time in solitude in their own cells, or rooms? 
Yes. Our monastic cells are rooms where we may pray, read, study, and sleep in solitude. We have about five and a half hours a day to spend in personal prayer and reading which may be done alone in one's cell, or in the Church, or in the library, or outside when weather permits. Part of this time may also be used for physical exercise.

Comments by Ian on Friday, December 17, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
At a doctor's request could a monk be granted more sleep time due to a disability? Would the same decision apply to a monk who has been in the Abbey a long time versus someone who is thinking about entering the abbey? 
A monk might need more sleep because of aging, sickness, or a disability than he needed when he joined the community. The abbot may give him permission without requiring a doctor's request. But candidates are expected to be healthy enough to follow the regular schedule of this way of life.  

Comments by TOM DEVERO on Thursday, December 2, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
At 47, I have considered a vocation to the monastic life for some time now. However, I still need to work, and take care of my debt situation. How does one become an "associate"? 
There are two kinds of associates. First, the Associates of Iowa Cistercians who meet at New Melleray on the second Saturday of each month. Second, the Monastic Center Associates who come to the Abbey at irregular intervals on their own for a few days at a time, to share in our celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours with us in choir, and to share in our manual labor. There is more information about both types of associates on our web site, under the heading for Guests.

Comments by Tim on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What is your affiliation, if any, to the Monastery at Gethsemani, KY? 
New Melleray and Gethsemani belong to the same religious institute, Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Gethsemani was founded in Kentucky in 1848 by Melleray Abbey, France. Melleray Abbey also founded Mount Melleray Abbey in Ireland in 1832. Mount Melleray founded New Melleray in Iowa in 1849. So, both Gethsemani and New Melleray trace their roots back to Melleray in France.

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