How do monks finance their work?

[crazydyl]

I am interested in becoming a monk but I wondered how they finance themselves? I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Different monasteries support themselves in different ways.

Some run schools or colleges. Some produce and sell various foods or crafts. Some provide retreat facilities. Some (probably all) rely on donations.

Part of the idea of a monastery is that it should be able to support itself so the monks are not a burden on anyone. If there is a monastery that interests you, look around on their web site. You will learn what the monks there do to support themselves.

 

[CDNowak]

Suscipe is absolutely correct, most monasteries are self sufficient.
I number of the products made by monasteries can be found here. The more cloistered communities tend to make money from industries like the above, retreats, and donations. More active communities usually have educational or parochial activity, which means a good portion of their community may bring in a salary for the monastery.

 

[Cowfold]

Suscipe is absolutely correct, most monasteries are self sufficient.
I number of the products made by monasteries can be found here. The more cloistered communities tend to make money from industries like the above, retreats, and donations. More active communities usually have educational or parochial activity, which means a good portion of their community may bring in a salary for the monastery.

Whilst the above may be generic I can say that there are a few Charterhouses which are very dependant on the motherhouse (La Grande Chartreuse).

 

[wjp984]

I saw something on tv where monks in Belgium apparently make the best beer in the world. I guess they can have fun with that and make lots of cash in the process as well.

 

[CDNowak]

Whilst the above may be generic I can say that there are a few Charterhouses which are very dependant on the motherhouse (La Grande Chartreuse).

That is true, there are a number dependent on their own congregation’s or order’s motherhouse. Very few rely on diocesan donations however.

Actually to cite more specific examples: I was in an American house of an Italian monastic congregation (mixed life, the norm for the congregation is schools and parishes, as well as the historic production of medicinal strength liquors), the African houses were financially borderline, but they are growing numerically. The Italian houses (including a few charterhouses) are officially government property, and thus there is some income for the care of the buildings from the cultural ministry. (The monks also have to allow tours, far from an ideal situation). These houses are stable financially (The motherhouse is close to a 1000 years old), but are not growing. The Latin American houses are financially and vocationally dependent. The lone American house is financially independent (and then some, I believe it is supporting the Latin American houses), but has not had any vocations make it to final vows. This, from talking to others, is a fairly typical case.

 

[Cowfold]

I saw something on tv where monks in Belgium apparently make the best beer in the world. I guess they can have fun with that and make lots of cash in the process as well.

Well, I don’t know about being the best but, I would say they are the strongest. Typical would be ‘Duble’ at 7% and ‘Triple’ at 9%. These beers are all known as ‘Trappiste Beers’ and are very much an acquired taste with a kick like a mule.

 

[crazydyl]

Hmmm, doesn’t sound like being a monk would interest me then.

Looks like I will apply to become a priest because Catholic women seem crazy to me or it could just mean that I am not meant for being in a relationship I am just working this out at the moment.

Can someboy explain why people decide to become monks to me, please? The way that I am is that I like to be productive so I would like to have a family for God or help Him by being a priest. If monks are not serving the parish or having children then what are they doing it for? I guess that my mindset is based around family by being a husband/dad or helping them as a priest. Hmmmmm… I will not mock people who become monks though, I just don’t understand why people would choose to become one and it is not for me

How are we all doing? Where can Catholics have a general chat? Does anybody want a chat about normal stuff? I’d like Catholic friends if anyone wants to talk to me

One more thing… How come this website is asking for money? Are people running it full-time? Does it ned full-timers? What would this website be like without full-timers or a lack of finances? I’ve been getting e-mails asking for me to finance it, but I don’t know how it is run or anything so I wouldn’ give any money until I know more details about the finances - I study accountancy and always like to know the figures

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

People become monks in order to seek holiness for themselves and to pray for the world. If that doesn’t seem productive then you might want to reread the story of Mary and Martha. There is room for both kinds of people in the world but they need to find their particular places.

You might find this thread of interest: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=417559

 

[CDNowak]

Hmmm, doesn’t sound like being a monk would interest me then.

Looks like I will apply to become a priest because Catholic women seem crazy to me or it could just mean that I am not meant for being in a relationship I am just working this out at the moment.

Can someboy explain why people decide to become monks to me, please? The way that I am is that I like to be productive so I would like to have a family for God or help Him by being a priest. If monks are not serving the parish or having children then what are they doing it for? I guess that my mindset is based around family by being a husband/dad or helping them as a priest. Hmmmmm… I will not mock people who become monks though, I just don’t understand why people would choose to become one and it is not for me

One more thing… How come this website is asking for money?

I entered a monastery for several reasons (active, the monks there are all involved in the running of a parish). The chief of which was probably a love of solitude, something that oddly was difficult to fulfill in that setting. I wanted to be less active, to have “the time that I like to sit in the [chapel] and pray” (to paraphrase Reb. Tevye). And that was the sweetest thing of all. I ended up leaving, however, in part because*** I*** had to choose between the two distinct vocations, something that I was unable to discern while trying to discern them both. Ultimately, I realized that I had become so accustomed to creating space in a busy world I could not do it in a quiet one. I also have a hard time reconciling the “double-vocation” as the presumed state. I honestly feel that it is possible that I am called to either vocation, but not to both, and ultimately my desire to serve wins out.

As far as the sites funding, you would have to ask the admins. It is a staffed forum, of significant size and that needs decent security (sadly, they’ve learned through experience). It is an out reach for Catholic answers, but one that does cost them a bit to run, online advertising just doesn’t pay.