New Melleray Abbey

Though I spoke with my coworker in the charity effort about the Monastery, and several times, nothing can quite prepare someone for their first stay at a monastery. There is nothing similar in any of my many life experiences which might have prepared me. I would have to say that the stay is quite apart from the world as I have ever known. Then too, there is the common and mundane in plane sight yet viewed as if through a lens which transforms even the normal into the contemplative. Time slows down, and then moves at a particular pace, set by the monks, the lives they lead, and the nature of the surroundings. To say it was an amazing experience might not quite be the best way to term it, yet that is what I have and so will use to describe my stay.

We arrived at the Abbey late, for monastic time to be sure. Arriving at 21:00, we entered the Abbey and waited near the guesthouse attendant’s room (9:00 pm, henceforth I will use military time: to find pm time, subtract 12 from any hour designation greater than 12:00 (13:00 ~ 13-12= 1 pm, 17:30 ~ 17:30-12:00= 5:30pm, etc.). After a short wait, my companion suggested he might know where to find whoever might be in charge of greeting guests. Sure enough, after a brief parting of ways, he returned with a man. I was to learn that this was Father Tom, a father yet also a brother at the Monastery. I do not know if he was a priest and then became a monk, whether as a brother he then went on to become a priest, or what his circumstances are, though I did learn all of these and other possibilities exist. In any case, we discussed a few things, we were given a few items with which to study or follow the monk’s Gregorian Chants, personal instructions, and a schedule for the time we were to stay. I remember little from the evening being tired as I was. Though I am sure we carried our gear to our bedrooms (private rooms with our own private baths), and once in my room I set things up for the night, unpacked, took care of grooming needs, took my medications, and then attempted to sleep.

For some odd reason a cousin, who has never called me before, called me shortly after I had settled in for the evening. We are not to speak in the rooms, and so I had to find a light switch, my phone, and press the ignore button. Having finally done this, I again retired. Perhaps ten minutes later she called again! Again, I pressed ignore. This time, however, I set the phone to neither ring nor vibrate when receiving a call. The phone, even when shut off, will come back on when called. I do not like that particular feature. As a side note, the following day, Saturday, my mother called and left a message in which she asked that I call my Uncle and give him my phone number. I wondered why she had not just given it to him, but I think it is easier for him to capture my phone number on his phone and add it that way. He might not actually remember how to put it in, or he may have difficulty seeing the numbers and buttons. He has never called me before either, so I am not sure what was going on. I did make the local news, so maybe they saw or heard something about that. I have not yet called anyone except my mother back, and since she did not know, I do not know.

I did sleep, and well for the most part. I did need the fan provided in the room. Though I did not sleep deeply, I slept soundly and comfortably. I awoke in time for the first bells. A little bit about bells first. There are seven bells, and a mass, each day. The first bells, a literal ringing of church bells, calls for the brothers, fathers, and all who wish to attend, to go to the church. The monks then sing Gregorian Chants (Psalms sung to a specific music arrangement), offer words of ceremony, and bow, or sit, or kneel at various times throughout the ceremonies. The seven bells are (Office of) Vigils at 3:30, Lauds at 6:30, Eucharist at 7:00 (this is at 9:00 on Sundays), Terce at 9:15, Sext at 11:45, None at 13:45 (literally, the service is called “None”, confusing, a bit, at first… Latin(?)), Vespers at 17:30, and Compline at 19:30. As I said, I woke up, without an alarm clock oddly, in time to be groomed, dressed, and downstairs for the Office of Vigils. However, I did not know where to go. And, having been warned against entering certain areas and knowing that signs might be easily missed at this time of day, I waited in hopes someone else would go and I could follow. It was not to be. However, I was pretty much awake for the rest of the day.

For guests, breakfast is after morning mass except on Sunday, dinner is at noon, and supper is at 18:00. In the morning, during a time I can only suggest the brothers might complete more domestic chores, as guests, we have a large space of time to study, read, hike, or relax. In this time, my cohort and myself decided a hike would be good. He actually sought me out to see if I wished to go with him at about the time I was looking for him to ask a few questions, including about hiking. There is quite a large acreage which the Monastery maintains, it has 1200 acres of timber, as well as pastures, farm land, and the grounds of the monastery itself. Our hike must have been three or a little more miles, in total, and perhaps a full four miles. We had some very interesting conversations interspersed with quiet times along the way. Even with a very large hill, and occasional other terrain difficulties, I think I did well in the effort. In the afternoon, work around the grounds, in the garden, or wherever work is needed, is performed by the monks. Those of us guests who wish to do so may help. My friend and myself, along with another man, agreed to help. We trimmed the branches of several plum trees in order to even their look and allow air into overly dense portions. Two of use went on to the garden with the brother from there and planted about 100 pepper and a few tomato plants, while the third guest went to pick rhubarb. I dug the holes with a trowel in this part. We then completed several other minor and last minute tasks, including cleaning our tools, fertilizing some of the vegetables, and stacking and storing what we had used. I think we ended up impressing the brother which whom we were working. If not by great deeds, then merely by a lack of complaint and a steady hand to the work.

From what I am told, the monks are vegetarians. Since we guests eat a different meal, I am not sure what their meal plan looks like, though I must admit to being curious. From seeing a picture of one of their completed meal place settings, it seems as if cheese and milk are in the menu, so I am speculating that by vegetarian, only meat is precluded. Though whether the definition of meat constitutes fish and eggs as well, I cannot know. As I said, I am curious. I myself love beef, as well as some pork, fish, fowl, and I am coming to appreciate lamb, vegetarianism would be difficult.

They have an interesting gift shop. Some things are expensive, some things are not. Some items are produced at the Abbey or the nearby and associated nunnery, others are from local, regional, national, and international religious venders. There are foods, wooden items, books, religious items, and music. I sorted through the gift shop over my stay, deciding whether to buy something or not, whether for myself or others, and what if anything at all I should get. On the day of departure, Sunday, I strolled down toward the shop. I saw and greeted Father Tom and asked if we might take care of my stay and perhaps a few purchases. He was awaiting my travel companion, as they were going to speak, but until that time he was free. So, I picked up a few items, a coffee mug with New Melleray Abbey written on it and a design indicative of the architecture of the building, a book of rules which the monks must abide, the morning and evening Gregorian Chants recorded at the Abbey, and a brief photographically rich book of the history of the Monastery. Later in the morning, I realized I did wish to purchase a few items for a few friends. My neighbor had indicated that honey buttered bread had been a delight he had remembered from his childhood visits to a monastery in Utah. So, I thought Melleray honey might be something he would appreciate. Mixed with butter and spread on bread, perhaps his family might enjoy the treat? I can hope. As well, I remembered to buy some chocolates for my lady friend. She happened to stop by this morning, for no particular reason, so I offered her the chocolate, which she gratefully accepted. She also liked the mug. I offered it to her, but she suggested I keep it. If I go again, she has suggested that I now know what to bring back to her. I should get the honey to my neighbor this afternoon.

There were three monks with whom I had some contact. I must admit to being quite pleased to have met these men. I felt rather satisfied to have made their acquaintances and it was enriching. I do feel some comfort, both that they do this work and offer these praises, but that they are able to in spite of our state as it is, the profusion of sin, and the social confusion that has nearly destroyed via secularization the fabric of this nation and perhaps the whole of Western Civilization. In this place, there is some notion of hope, some remembrances of wholesomeness, a realization of the strength and goodness of tradition, righteousness, and the greatness of God. It was no small thing, this visit. I sense more, but this is as much as words will convey.

I am considering visiting this winter, sometime during Christmas break from college. This time, I am considering whether to visit as this time or whether to go as an associate. As an associate, I would sit up with the monks and chant, sing, and worship with them rather than being seated in the pews, and yet I would not eat or reside with the monks or with the guests, necessarily, either. I have not yet decided which it is to be, or if for certain I am going. However, hopefully if I go, I will take cross country snow skis, cold weather gear, and some gear I would like to test in order to do some exploring in the mornings. I plan on reviewing the recordings of the chants in order to, perhaps, become more familiar with them. And, I am considering trying to get to their type of schedule. Getting up at 3:15 and going to bed at 20:00 to 20:30 is not that bad. It offers right at 7 to 8 hours of sleep. We will see how far I get with this. Some of it will not work well with my vacation coming up. In any case, I am hoping some of what I felt is maintained, and some of what is a mystery will become more familiar even if it never becomes named whether or not I incorporate all of their schedule and some of their activities.