Monastic retreat

[CatholicMetis]

I have been discerning a vocation to the Benedictine monks so I went on a retreat to Glastonbury Abbey and it was very nice. The grounds were very beautiful, the weather was perfect, and it was very relaxing. I learned a lot about Lectio Devina (sacred reading for meditation and prayer) and it was very helpful.

However, I am not sure this is the place for me. Granted, it’s close to my home so it would be very convienient but some things bothered me. One thing that probably shouldn’t bother me is I was reading in the history of the Abbey that in recent past 2 monks have died of AIDS. Now I know there are plenty of reasons and ways people get AIDS but it makes me wonder about homosexual activity there. One of the other Abbeys I am looking at makes you take an AIDS test before you join. If this was the only negative I could probably overcome this.

But other things didn’t sound right. When I met with the vocations director he told me about a monk who didn’t like to get up for morning vigils and he slept in all the time. This tells me there is no discipline if they let him get away with that.

Another thing was the Sunday Mass. Now granted, the Chapel is being worked on so they are having masses at the conferece center and the Blessed Sacarment is kept in the monks parlor where they have the Office. But the homily was more of a production then a homily. Complete with props. One of the monks had a chest with all the stuff monks are supposed to keep. Then he talked about his trip to Cologne for World Youth day. And he shut the light off in the Church and showed everyone this pen light they bought that had the Pope’s image on it when you shown it. Of course the theme of the Gospel was “be Prepared” with the reading of the 5 foolish virgins and the 5 wise virgins but it didn’t seem reverend when people were laughing and carrying on like that during Mass.

It was good as far as everyone in the place sung the songs and everyone said the responses but the music director went too far in my opinion. He had everyone practice the opening hymn before mass and if we weren’t good enough in his opinion he made us practice it until we got it right. I don’t think Mass is the time to warm up for a concert so I really don’t think I could be happy with the Sunday Mass there. The fact they call it a “liturgy” and not a Mass makes me queezy.

The vocations director did tell me to visit other Abbeys before deciding which one is right for me. So I have a couple others in mind to check out. Say some prayers that I find the right place for me.

 

[puzzleannie]

every Benedictine congregation is independent, although they do have a “daughter” relationship with the “mother house”, so discipline and practice can vary widely from one foundation to another. You were wise to visit and stay long enough to experience all aspects of their life and worship. Benedict himself was the intended victim of a deadly plot by certain monks who resented his strict enforcement of the Holy Rule. They tried to poison him but the man of God foiled the plot and the monks were banished, no doubt forming their own dissenting community.

If the foundation is not enforcing the Holy Rule, there is no reason to join, since you will not be participating in Benedictine life in any case. the AIDS would be a huge red flag for me, unless the foundation included a hospice of some kind where these men were welcomed for treatment and support in their illness.

 

[SummaTheo]

This is a rumor but I’ve heard of homosexual activity within some Benedict abbeys before. Try this Abbey www.clearcreekmonks.org. They are in Oklahoma.

 

[CatholicMetis]

The others that I am currently looking at is St Leo in Florida and also St. Bernard in Cullman, AL. Of course I am open to other suggestions and I check out all the links that have been posted here.

 

[Madia]

The vocations director did tell me to visit other Abbeys before deciding which one is right for me.

Make sure you visit several before making a decision about something that will affect the rest of your life. Don’t simply make a list of a certain number and then chose which place you like best. Continue searching until you find the place that feels right. Continually pray for guidance and don’t give up. If you are lucky enough to find a place that feels right early on in your search, then I still recommend visiting a couple more places just to confirm your belief that that place is right for you.

My suggestion would be to look for places that are not too “wordly” and focus on places that have a stricter dicipline (more penance, tougher schedule, etc.).