Guest Book

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There are 188 guestbook entries in 19 pages and you are on page number 7

Comments by John on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 23:18	IP Logged
How does one become a monk? The first step is to contact the vocation director by letter, e-mail, or phone to begin a process of applying for entrance to the monastery. He will send materials about the monastic life to the candidate along with a vocation discernment questionnaire. The next step is to visit the Abbey for a personal interview. If there are signs of a vocation, the candidate will be offered a six week observership, living in the cloister with the monks, to experience this way of life. At the end of six weeks the candidate must leave for a month to reflect on the observership and decide whether or not he wants to return. The next step is to ask for admittance. If accepted, the candidate may then come to the monastery to begin monastic life as a postulant. Postulancy lasts for at least six months. The next step is reception of the monastic habit which is the beginning of a two year period as a novice. At the end of two years, if accepted by the solemnly professed members of the community, the novice may make his first profession of temporary vows for three years to nine years. The final step at the end of temporary vows is solemn profession, a life-long commitment to living monastic life.
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Comments by Monica Castner on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 16:05	IP Logged
I came across this site by accident and realized who you are! My husband and I along with my sisters came out 2 years ago for my niece Sr.Ciaran's solemn profession. We made a visit to your monastery, and found such love and peace there and at the abbey, we hated to leave. It was very moving for us. My husband, Leon, has recently been ordained an Orthodox priest, and as we await direction, we ask for prayers. I have recently had major surgery and our grandaughter Emma has been seriously ill, we are happy to report we are on the mend. Many thanks for your prayers and God bless you! Sincerely, Monica
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Comments by Trappist Enthusiast on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 18:54	IP Logged
Who assigns the monks to their jobs? For instance, if a former chef became a monk would he be put in the kitchen, or would he have to work his way up by doing other jobs first? In addition, what is the process for electing a new abbot? Love the website, especially the news items. During the initial years of formation monks are assigned to a variety of jobs, including cooking, as determined by the formation director. A monk will be able to make use of his abilities and skills in the community. An abbot is elected for six years by the monks who are in solemn vows. Upon completion of six years, a monk may be reelected any number of times, until the required age for retirement, 75.
United States

Comments by Mike on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 18:34	IP Logged
I have heard that trappist monks sleep on wooden boards instead of a mattress. Is this true? Thank you. No. Trappists sleep on regular mattresses.
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Comments by Christina SIms on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:31	IP Logged
Do you keep custodial care level monks in your infirmary, or are they placed out into community nursing homes? Do the monks render hands on care to their needy brothers in the infirmary, assisted by home health professionals, like VNA nursing agencies? New Melleray rebuilt it's infirmary so that the monks could be better cared for at home, where they should receive their care. Thank you, Christina Sims Yes, we renovated our infirmary so that we could care for our elderly and infirm monks in the monastery. Professional care is also provided by a nurse every day, and by VNA and Hospice when necessary. We are very grateful to all who helped us with the infirmary project.
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Comments by Daniel on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 23:57	IP Logged
Good day and may God bless you and all your brothers at New Melleray. I have been engaging in Lectio Divina off and on for a while now and am finding the bible I'm using - NAB Red Letter Edition - somewhat distracting and difficult to read. I'm finding the print too small and the foot notes seem to take me away from prayer at times. I was hoping you could give me some suggestions and answer some questions. What would be a good translation to use? Would large print be better then small print or even regular print? Would no foot notes be better? And what version do you use? Thank you for all your help.--Mary Mother of God, Pray for us Daniel, I have used the Revised Standard Version (RSV) since 1964, and the Catholic edition when it became available. This is one of the most faithful translations of the Sacred Scriptures. The Catholic edition has been approved for liturgical use in some English speaking countries, and it is the text used for Scripture quotations in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Except for the Psalms, for which I prefer the Grail Psalter, 1963 edition, the RSV Catholic Edition is the text best suited for prayer, study, and memorization. It is also available in a newer translation, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), but I definitely prefer the earlier text (RSV Second Catholic Edition). It is available from Ignatius Press in several formats, including a leather bound edition (the best choice), and a pocket edition. The text is easy to read, on durable paper, with just the right amount of footnotes, and a good selection of maps at the back. The full title is "Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition" and can be obtained from LeafletMissal.org or by calling 1-800-328-9582. You will not be disappointed in the excellence of the translation or the quality of the publication and printing.
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Comments by Raymond R. Fodrie on Monday, June 4, 2007 at 16:53	IP Logged
To anyone interested in monastic life, whether it be as a monk, nun, or oblate, I would recommend reading Michael Casey's book Strangers to the City. It's a beautifully written book concerning the ins and outs of monastic life written from the prospective of an Australian Cistercian. May it be a comfort to you all. Raymond, Oblate O.S.B.
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Comments by Chris Thigpen on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 18:50	IP Logged
As a 22-year old Byzantine Catholic who's discerning a monastic vocation, allow me to commend you and your brothers for an amazing, informative website. I also want to add that your description of the psalms nearly brought me to tears. I always thought of them simply as the psalmist's prayers to God, but you have allowed me to see them in a whole new light. Whenever I pray the psalms, I will remember you and your monastery. May God bless you. Please pray for me, an unworthy sinner.
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Comments by Karen on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 21:06	IP Logged
Hello! My friends and I are fascinated with monastic life. We've always wondered, where do monasteries get their monk robes/habits, and other religious elements for the monastery, like altar and liturgical supplies (i.e. candles, crosses,etc)? Do they make any of these themselves, or is there usually an "approved" church supplier that they purchase from? Thank you! At New Melleray, and in many monasteries, one of the monks is a tailor. He sews all the habits for the monks and some of the vestments for celebration of the Eucharist. The Holy Rood Guild at St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, MA, made the stoles and calbs we use at concelebration. Other vestments, chalices and liturgical vessels were purchased from a number of different church suppliers. Several items made of red oak, like patens and trays, were made in our own woodworking shop.
United States

Comments by Frances Batson on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 17:28	IP Logged
What translation of the Psalter do you use in the liturgy? Is it specifically for chanting? We use the 1963 version of the Grail Psalter. This translation is especially good for chanting.
United States

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