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

Comments by our old site on Wednesday, October 11, 2000 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Can monks read whatever they want or does it have to be approved? Who approves it?
Monks may read whatever they want after completing their years of formation. During the novitiate and period of temporary vows, however, their reading is approved by the Novice Director of the Junior Director.

Comments by our old site on Tuesday, August 15, 2000 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
You say that New Melleray was founded by monks from Ireland. Do you still have any contact with any of the Irish monks?
The Cistercian monasteries are organized by "filiations." This means that each monastery maintains ties with a "parent" abbey. In New Melleray's case, our filiation is with Mount Melleray Abbey in Cappoquin, County Waterford, Ireland. We at New Melleray receive a visit from the Abbot of Mount Melleray every year or so, and the Abbot is present for important functions like the election of a new Abbot at our monastery.

Comments by our old site on Sunday, March 26, 2000 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What contact do you have with the "outside world"?
This is one of the changes of Vatican II. We do not have the same strict enclosure rules as we did before Vatican II. Now we have daily newspapers and news magazines (U.S. News and World Report). We have video movies three or four times a year--the last movie we saw was Independence Day. The reason for the changes was to give some exposure to the issues of the day as a means of keeping the monks informed in order to pray in a more meaningful way for the needs of the world.

Comments by our old site on Thursday, December 16, 1999 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Are there Catholic monasteries that still carry on life in the more strict pre-Vatican II tradition?
Not that I know of.

Comments by our old site on Friday, November 12, 1999 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Do you need to have a philosophy background to enter?
No. We require a high school degree and some college or work experience before entry.

Comments by our old site on Friday, September 10, 1999 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What is the difference between "Gregorian" chant and "plain" chant?
Although technically and historically there are differences between them, in contemporary usage the terms are interchangeable. Perhaps "plain chant" is more restricted, referring to chant which uses only one note per syllable, while "Gregorian" chant refers more properly to chant with more than one note per syllable (referred to as melismatic). However, there is no consistency in such distinctions except in technical manuals about chant.

Comments by our old site on Saturday, July 3, 1999 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
What if a monk has a change of heart after vows and wants to leave? Is there a process for that?
Yes. There is a centuries old wisdom and compassion in the Church that knows how to do what is best for the individual and for the whole community so that in all things there is the deepest respect for the human person. Most, if not all, of the monks who have been dispensed from their vows in order to return to life outside of the monastery are still in good, happy and loving relationships with New Melleray.

Comments by our old site on Sunday, February 14, 1999 at 00:00 IP Logged IP Logged
Are you strict vegetarians or do you ever get to eat meat?
Our usual diet is strictly vegetarian. In the monk's dining room no meat is served. We have separate dining rooms for guests where meat is served. We may eat meat there during visits by our family. Also a monk's doctor may recommend that meat be included in his diet.

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