Adventures in the Monastery

So let me tell you guys about the time we tried to go to Starbucks after mass and ended up driving two and half hours to hike at a monastery in Kentucky.  To clarify, we didn't get lost, it was just a happily spontaneous, yet totally intentional jaunt to another state.

After mass several Sundays ago, we had talked about going to Starbucks afterward, but we ended up turning the wrong way and just ended up at McDonald's.  While we were there, we got on the subject of ghosts and ghost stories that we tell at camp.  This conversation lasted through our "brunch", through the drive back to camp, and eventually to our living room.  The conversation then morphed into a discussion about positive energy, and I mentioned how I feel the most positive energy in two places: in nature and in churches.  One of the other staff offered a suggestion: why don't we go somewhere where we can experience both?  And that's how, within the space of 15 minutes, we decided to go to the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani  and settled in for the drive to Kentucky.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani is the oldest continually operating monastery in the country, having opened in 1848.  The abbey is home to part of the Order of Cistercians, or Trappist monks.  The abbey is not only known for making a living through its delicious fruitcake and bourbon fudge, but for also being the home of Thomas Merton for 27 years until his death in 1968.  Thomas Merton was an incredible person, and I cannot give him and his life story the justice it deserves in this blog post.  Read up about him, or better yet, read his books.

When we arrived, we started with a little personal prayer time and then jumped right into some God hiking.  Silence is encouraged in the monastery, which is incredibly refreshing as well as more difficult than you would imagine.  We started out walking the Statues path, which is decorated with various statues of saints and Jesus.  You wander through pastures and woods, and there are giant statues that you would have to work to miss, and there are tiny figurines that most people never stop long enough to see.  Once we finished the statue walk, we decided to walk to the Slate Pond, a beautiful pond made of slate that empties over a slate waterfall.  I've never gotten to see anything like it before.

I should mention that as we're hiking, we're noticing these dark clouds rolling in, and sounds that could be thunder or could just be really strong wind.  We decided that we would trek on because, hey, we are camp professionals and we can handle anything Mother Nature throws at us.  Well, sure enough, it starts storming and we are stuck in this downpour.  We find the Stone House, which is a, you guessed it, small stone house where people can rest and stop for prayer.  Once the rain let up a little bit, we started back for the monastery to get back in time for Compline.  The rain finally let up, and we were able to witness the amazing thing that is the woods after a storm.  The way that the late afternoon shines through the raindrops on the pine trees, the way that the gravel is washed beneath your feet, and the way the sun bursts through those once-threatening clouds.

Once we returned to monastery and were able to change into less-soaked clothes, we were able to go to the church for Compline.  This Compline was a little bit different in that it started with benediction, and we were able to participate in adoration.  We entered the church, which had gorgeous high ceilings, but was otherwise very plain, allowing us to truly focus on the Blessed Sacrament that was placed in the monstrance on the altar.  During adoration, I was struck with the thought that the Eucharist is such a perfect example of Christ's humility.  Not only did he take on a human form, but he continues to meet us in a form that is meant to be available to all people.  When you think of all of the rare and expensive foods that Jesus could have used as his continuing form (which would befit God if He so chose), it is so gratifying to think that Jesus chose the unleavened bread because he did not just come to save those who can afford it.  In fact, Jesus came to save the lowliest people.  Sitting in this church, still wet and dirty, I was so thankful that Jesus could be that savior to everyone.

After benediction, we began the actual Compline.  For those unfamiliar with the Liturgy of the Hours, the Compline is the final prayer (or office) of the day.  This was the first place that I was able to experience Compline for myself, and it was a truly beautiful experience.  To participate in chant along with the monks was an experience that was honestly the best way to end my day.  The final part of Compline is an antiphon to Mary, which I felt really brought the whole day full-circle since I had begun the day at Gethsemani with the rosary.  

With Compline over, it was almost time to leave.  Almost.  Outside of the abbey entrance, there is is a large hill adjacent to the parking lot with a large statue at the top.  Compline ended just as the sun was beginning to set, allowing us to walk up the hill and witness the gorgeous Kentucky countryside in an incredible panorama.  The day was one in which I was so thankful that I decided to say "yes" as often as possible, even if it was ridiculously spontaneous.  Watching that sunset, I was so full of contentment, peace, and true presence in what I was experiencing.  Thanks, Gethsemani.

Would you like a challenge?  Do something spontaneous just because you want to/it sounds fun/you need some time for your faith.  Do it for you.