What ever happened to monastic hospitality?

[JamesAnthony]

Hello. For an upcoming drive to New York, I contacted two monasteries regarding staying with them for two nights. One in SC was booked with, apparently, groups, and could not offer 1 or 2 nights; the other in another state asked me for a letter of reference from my local pastor, which was sent forward, and then they called and said that a 1-2 night stay wasn’t available… but longer stays were. (This was after I’d specifically inquired about a 1-2 night stay.)

It seems curious that my pastor would have to furnish a letter, and then I am told that 1-2 night stays aren’t available, but longer stays are. Whatever happened to the Benedictine tradition? I even asked about fees-- no reply. Am I being naive?

Just curious… I’m not perturbed or feeling affronted. I don’t want to write them with more questions as I was getting the feeling that they were perhaps overwhelmed and understaffed-- and I wasn’t long-winded at all in my requests at all, just very polite and to the point.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Jim

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

You’d be surprised at how popular some monasteries are. But they open their doors for people who want retreats. When people ask for just one night, they tend to resist because they don’t want to act as motels. This might be what you ran into–not that you wanted to use them in this way.

Don’t give up. Try going there for a three day retreat and see what happens.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.