Guest Book

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There are 188 guestbook entries in 19 pages and you are on page number 2

Comments by christine on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 12:11	IP Logged
If a monk or brother passes away how do you notify the family? We notify his family as soon as possible by telephone. Unless his death is sudden and unexpected, we would already be in contact with his family, inviting them to come and be with him.
United States

Comments by Mechthild on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 23:19	IP Logged
I read a book of an ex-sister, and watched a movie of similar sort. Both were active sisters, one before the WW2, one in the 1960's. Both mention that sisters (or at least novices) were to abstain from any kind of touch: hand shaking, hug, etc. Some Poor Clares practice that even now. I read the Rule of St.Benedict, as well as the rule of St.Francis, and neither one talks about anything like that. I wonder where such abstinence comes from, when it started, if it was also practiced at monasteries of Benedictine tradition (incl Cistercians) at some point in the history. My uninformed guess is that it probably has something to do with Franciscan tradition. Someone told me that many active orders use the Rule of St.Francis. Perhaps someone added something to it including no-touch rule? The prohibition against touching another was common practice in religious communities of many Orders in the time preceding Vatican II. That did not mean one never touched another. There were many occasions when congratulations upon receiving the habit or making profession of vows was expressed with a handshake or hug. Otherwise one simply did not touch another. This is no longer a common practice in religious orders today.
United States

Comments by Mechthild on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 21:36	IP Logged
I heard something like, the people in religious orders talk about their own life as little as possible, and only after being asked. Is it true, at least among US Trappists and Trappistines? Is it also the case when you are an applicant, and talk to an Abbot/Abbess? I don't want to look too talkative about my life but I also don't want to look like I'm hiding something. Before 1969 when most communication was done in sign language it was not easy to talk about one's past. Monks and nuns did not even know another member's last name or family history. With more verbal communication after 1969 that changed and it became easier to talk about one's past. Some more and some less. A candidate is expected to be open and honest about his or her personal and family history.
United States

Comments by Raymond R. Fodrie on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 20:24	IP Logged
Do all monasteries use a different form of the Liturgy of the Hours? If so do you have a recommendation for civilians? Perhaps the St. Joseph 4 volume set? Also, are there plans to revise the set? I would hope not if I were to invest in them, as they are somewhat expensive. Not all the monasteries follow the same order of Psalms and readings for the Liturgy of the Hours. Some pray the entire Psalter every week, others every two weeks, and some use the four volume set of the Roman Rite in which the Psalter is prayed every four weeks. The choice of readings also differs from abbey to abbey. The four volume set of the Roman Rite is one of the few printed editions for any of the different rites used by monks in the United States. There is a one volume, condensed edition of the Liturgy of the Hours available from Liturgical Press, Collegeville. It is far less expensive and includes most of what anyone needs to pray the Liturgy of the Hours well.
United States

Comments by Denny on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 22:25	IP Logged
I have two questions. I noticed that Father Bernard Cullen has been at New Melleray since 1942 and I know that Father Daniel Lenihan is over 100 years old. Does Father Cullen have the most longevity of any monk ever at New Melleray? Is Father Lenihan the oldest monk the Abbey has ever had since it opened in 1849? Their presence is certainly a blessing! My best to them and the other wonderful monks there! Fr. Bernard Cullen entered New Melleray on Jan. 5, 1942. By next August Fr. Bernard will have lived at New Melleray longer than any other monk. But until then, Br. Augustine Nave holds the record of 68 years and six months. Fr. Daniel, who entered on May 17, 1946 is already the oldest monk who has lived here, turning 103 next July. The next closest was Br. Peter McSweeney who died at the age of 96.
United States

Comments by Diane Ivey on Friday, March 19, 2010 at 22:38	IP Logged
Is Father Xavier still at New Melleray? I met him in the early 80's and often reflect on our conversations and my visits to New Melleray. Yes, Fr. Xavier is here and continues to minister within the community and to our guests.
United States

Comments by Mechthild on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 18:27	IP Logged
Hello, I am probably going to a monastery not so far in future, and I am trying to understand more about monastic life and practice, in order to adjust better. I think I tend to create my own ways of doing things, with a good intention, but I am afraid that sometimes it might cause problems. I wonder if there's something I should practice, so that I would back off from my own ways. For example, I (as a guest in a monastery) got permission to be in a certain place at a certain time, and the sister said, "I will come to pick you up, and will take you there from this door." But then I thought, "that's extra work for her! I can actually get there by myself through the steps from another door," and I told her so. She did not object, but it might cause a problem because I didn't do it exactly the way she had permission for me from the superior. (In fact it probably did for some complicated reason I haven't written here.) Through troubles like this and something else that happened earlier, I understand a little better the difference between what I can do and what I may do in the monastery. But I still think almost automatically, "I can do it better/simpler this way." I wonder if this kind of mentality is annoying in a monastery. I am thinking of training myself so when someone tells me AB->C, I might think of DE->C but won't tell or act on it so easily. (I'm still in the world living by myself). On the other hand, I almost feel like I'm suppressing my creativity this way. I would appreciate your opinion about this. St. Benedict writes in his Rule for Monasteries that the boon of obedience should be shown not only to the abbot but even to our peers, to one another. Self-will is the root cause of our sinfulness. Therefore, in monastic life we seek to overcome our own willfulness even in good things by practicing obedience, even in small things. In this way we train ourselves to overcome our desires to do our own will, and we acquire strength to resist our own desires even when they may have good or better results than what someone else is telling us. (Obviously this does not mean we should obey someone who asks us to do something sinful.) There will be more than enough occasions when we can be creative, when we are given responsibility and are in charge of something, or when our suggestions are invited. But better yet, we are exercising the best kind of creativity when we form ourselves into the image of Christ who came not to do his own will but the will of his Father in heaven. Pray daily to know and follow whatever your vocation in life is.
Germany

Comments by Levi on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 12:37	IP Logged
I'm 21 years old and about ready to finish an Associate of Arts degree, but I do not feel attending a 4 year college or just finding an ordinary job is right for me now. I've read several entries about becoming a monk, or an oblate in your community, but I just don't know. I have been thinking about becoming a monk every day for about the last year and visited the guesthouse a couple days in May. The way the life as set up in the monastery is balanced and even beautiful from my perspective. However I do not know if I want to become an official monk all of my life, so inside of me there is great conflict. I feel I could learn more then I ever could elsewhere by living and learning in the monastery, but I don't know if I want to live my entire life there. Then again, I would love to achieve the sheer balance and peace that is in your lives. I really don't know what to do. Thank you for writing about your desires and anxieties. If God is calling you to the monastic way of life, (it could be for a limited time), that would be a wonderful grace for you and for others. May it be so. Many aspirants come for a few months or a few years and then leave to seek God in other ways. That is okay. A final, permanent commitment is not made for at least six to ten years. One may leave before making a final commitment by solemn vows if God’s call draws one elsewhere. There are three signs that may help you discern God’s will, the three A’s: attraction, aptitude, acceptance. You already have the attraction. Do you have the aptitude, the ability to live the monastic way of life? There are certain minimum requirements: a baptized Catholic, single, free of debts, good health, free of other obligations, right motivation. These are easy to discern. For the other aptitudes, the best way to find out is by trying this way of life. The third sign is acceptance. If you apply and are accepted that is a very good indication that this is God’s will for you. The process of discernment begins with a visit to the monastery for a few days or a couple weeks to see what this life is like. If all is favorable, the next step is a six week observership, living inside the cloister with the monks, just as they do. Then after the six weeks is completed, the aspirant returns home to reflect on the experience for a month. If he still wants to join, he writes to ask permission to come as a postulant, and if he is accepted that is the beginning of his membership in the community. May God bless you and may you have a happy and holy Christmas,
United States

Comments by Brad Clarke on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 14:44	IP Logged
Hi...this is not a question but a quick comment...after moving from Dubuque, I can sincerely express my gratitude for the hospitality my wife and I received on the numerous occasions we came to services and retreat at New Mellary. We certainly do miss this opportunity living in the Twin Cities. God bless you guys!
United States

Comments by Barry Taylor on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 02:48	IP Logged
A spiritual director, who is a Trappist monk, said to me that the question for discerning a monastic community is, "Do you feel called to journey for union with God with this group of men?" It is not about the ministry of the community. What are your thoughts about someone looking overseas for a community if they do not feel called to a monastic community in their own country? Go wherever God is calling. It may be in another country.
Australia

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