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To Be a Monk |
We follow the Rule for Monasteries of St. Benedict written in the 6th Century. The monastic reform begun at Citeaux, France, in 1098 was the beginning of our order, the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. The later 17th Century reform within the order, which took place at La Trappe, gave us the popular name "Trappists." New Melleray Abbey was founded by Irish Trappist-Cistercian monks in 1849. Presently there are about 30 in the community.
Our daily schedule allots about 4 1/2 hours to manual labor; 3 1/2 hours to liturgical prayer--divided into Mass and the seven canonical hours; 5 hours to private prayer, meditation and spiritual reading.
The rule of silence is observed in an absolute manner from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. During the remainder of the day, short communication is permitted as required by work and fraternal charity. When monastic friendships develop, there is the possibility of occasional longer times spent together in conversation. The monks do not ordinarily carry money. Whenever there is a need, money is provided for the particular purpose.
Besides our liturgical assemblies, we gather for the main meal at noon. Fasting is practiced moderately on the communal level. Individuals are encouraged to practice greater austerity, always under the supervision of a spiritual senior. Meals are taken in silence. At dinner there is public reading. Our monastic society is marked by the kindness and respect accorded to one another by the monks. Several times during the year, on greater solemnities, we enjoy sharing a buffet together with speaking permitted. Several evenings, before the closing prayer of the day, we gather for a few ten minutes of informal sharing. At this time, announcements are made. Personal news is communicated. Often, a humorous event of the day is related.
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