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There are 188 guestbook entries in 19 pages and you are on page number 17

Comments by Sean on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
How do you support your older community members? Do they receive medications and help from outside sources, or do the other monks alone care for them? 
Our infirm and older members are cared for within the monastery by two monks. We have assistance from a full time employee as a care giver in our newly renovated infirmary. And a registered nurse comes daily for six hours to provide professional care. The new infirmary is beautiful. We plan to post a photographic tour for all our friends and supporters to see on this web site soon. It is a blessing to have the prayers and sacrifices of the infirm in our midst, and we are fortunate to have facilities to provide them with the care they need. Our infirmary has fourteen rooms.

Comments by Don Bernier on Sunday, November 21, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
If a person feels called to the monastic life but is 55 yrs old, beyond the accepted age, what alternatives does that person have? 
First, some monasteries do accept older vocations. Second, someone older than the accepted age might ask to be considered as an exception for some compelling reason(s). Third, an older person might become an associate of the monastery, visiting frequently, and participating in the community life from time to time within the gudelines for associates.

Comments by Leon Meyer on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Being that you are vegetarian are you allowed to eat real butter and drink milk? Also do you eat chicken and fish? 
Although our diet is vegetarian, we do have real butter available, along with milk and fish. We do no have chicken at our community meals. We are vegetarian not by conviction but by vocation. Meat is allowed when we have meals while we are away from the monastery, or when we are eating with our guests in the Guest House dining room. In our way of life giving up meat is a form of penance and simplicity of life, and a sharing in the poverty of so many in the world who do not have meat available in thier diet. But we are not against eating meat. We are free to do so when circumstances prevent us from eating with the community in the monastery dining room.

Comments by Leon Meyer on Friday, November 12, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
At Liturgy do you receive just the host or are you allowed to drink from the cup also. 
We receive the Body and Blood of our Lord in the host and from the cup at our daily Eucharistic celebration.

Comments by Jean Dittmann on Friday, October 29, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Has anyone ever seriously proposed Thomas Merton (Father Louis) for beatification? I know he incorporated some Zen in his prayers, but I think it was only to enhance his prayer-life. Was it to the extent of precluding him from the honors of the Church? In 1968, Teresa Newman, Thomas Meron, & St. Padre Pio died. One is now a saint, one is questionable, but everyone I ask about Teresa Newman can't or won't tell me anything. Can you refer me to a reliable source as to any info on her cause? Thanks 
Thomas Merton would rather be a saint than be called one. Beatification? If he is a saint, perhaps one day he will be presented for beatification. I do not have any competence concerning sources for the cause of Teresa Newman.  

Comments by Jean Dittmann on Friday, October 29, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What is the difference between Trappistine Nuns and Cistercian Nuns? I thought they were interchangeable but a Cistercian Nun brought me up sharply when I called her a Trappistine! Also, are there any OCD Nuns in your area that adhere to the 1991 Constitutions & the traditional habit? I know there is a house in Sioux City. The one in Eldridge is off the wall, they dont even wear habits! Also, have you ever considered the raising of alpacas for your community, thus supplying very warm habits? 
There are two branches of Cistercians: the common observance, and the strict observance. Trappistines are Cistercian nuns of the strict observance. The Cistercian nuns at Our Lady of the Valley in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, belong to the common observance and are not called Trappistines. This differnce between the two observances goes back several hundred years, and applies to Cistercian monks as well. We hope that some day the common and strict observances will become one Order. Regarding the other two questions: there are no OCD nuns in the Dubuque area; and, we haven't considered raising alpacas.   

Comments by Slappy McHappy on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Do you learn any forms of martial arts for kicking and hurting of thy foes 
No, we don't. The Rule of St. Benedict teaches us the following instruments of good works, among many others: 18. To help in time of trouble; 22. Not to give way to anger; 23. Not to nurse a grudge; 31. To love one's enemies; 32. Not to curse those who curse us, but rather to bless them; 64. To hate no one; 70. To pray for one's enemies in the love of Christ; 71. To make peace with one's adversary before the sun sets.  

Comments by our old site on Friday, April 18, 2003 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What contact do you have with family members? Do you see them on a regular basis?
Family members are encouraged to visit the monastery two or three times a year and whenever necessary--for instance, when an elderly parent cannot travel--monks will visit their families.

Comments by our old site on Sunday, March 16, 2003 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What impact has New Melleray had on the Peosta and Dubuque communities?
New Melleray has always had a deep and favorable impact on the whole region and on just about every level--economic, spiritual, human, social. The opposite has also at time been true. New Melleray also has been impacted and shaped and enormously enriched by its surrounding neighbors and communities.

Comments by our old site on Friday, December 13, 2002 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What are the five vows that you make?
Monks recite three vows during their profession ceremony: 1) obedience, 2) stability and 3) conversion of manners. Implied and included with the first vow are 4) poverty and 5) chastity.

POVERTY means that monks cannot own property in their own name.

CHASTITY means monks practice sexual morality. It also includes the selfless non-possessive love of others.

OBEDIENCE means following the Rule of St. Benedict and the instructions of the Abbot to the best of ones ability.

STABILITY means that monks will remain with the Community of their profession. Exceptions to this are when a monk is sent on a new foundation or temporarily helps another Community. He may also make a change for reasons of health such as moving to a different climate.

CONVERSION OF MANNERS means that the monk promises to always seek God and to grow in union with Him.

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