Author Topic: Most Holy Family Monastery (Read 8377 times)

Vladimir · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:45:33 PM »

I used to want to join them. When I asked them these questions, they told me to call them, but they never called back.

From what I can see, their monastery looks very much like a house; they must spend much time on the internet recording their talks and materials, etc; and their website says that they pray a few prayers daily along with 15 decade rosary. I have heard that they receive the sacraments from a Byzantine Catholic priest.

Caminus · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2009, 12:58:14 PM »

Quote from: Vladimir

I used to want to join them. When I asked them these questions, they told me to call them, but they never called back.

From what I can see, their monastery looks very much like a house; they must spend much time on the internet recording their talks and materials, etc; and their website says that they pray a few prayers daily along with 15 decade rosary. I have heard that they receive the sacraments from a Byzantine Catholic priest.

A priest who is in communion with the arch-heretic Ratzinger I suppose. But according to their standards, anyone who is "communion" with Ratzinger is, by that fact, also a heretic and schismatic. So they have a hypocritical double standard.

I'm not surprised they didn't call you back for they fear being found out. Praying a few times a day along with the Rosary doesn't amount to practicing the religious life either. The Benedictine rule is not that superficial.

Caraffa · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2009, 01:02:40 PM »

Quote from: Caminus

And that's what I'm trying to discover. That's why I would like to talk to someone with first-hand knowledge of this place. Do they sit around and watch T.V. for example? See, the problem is that their little website gives them an air of standing, especially asserting that they are an actual monastery, publicly teaching the Catholic faith. If they are frauds, which I'm sure they are, it would be good to get that information out that. The fact they they stone-walled me on providing basic information is telling.

There were not always sedes from what I understand. Someone who might know something about them is John Vennari of Catholic Family News. He worked with them in the early 90's.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2009, 01:07:39 PM »

Lucky for the seminary who gets their hands on you, Vladfimir.

But perhaps you did not have $1 Million to donate to the cause?

Larry · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2009, 03:42:43 PM »

I registered here to give a little info on the origins of the Most Holy Family Monastery.

Most Holy Family Monastery was founded in the late sixties in Berlin, New Jersey by Joseph Natale, a native of Philadelphia. The Monastery was an attempt to be a traditional Benedictine Monastery, and for a time John Vennari was a brother there. He left in the early nineties. During the eighties there were 10 monks, but eventually the number of Monks was reduced to 3. Brother Joseph passed away in 1995, and Brother Michael Dimond was named the superior.

When Brother Joseph was in charge, the Monastery was traditionalist; priests such as Fr. Paul Wickens would provide Mass and the Sacraments for the Brothers, and the faithful who attended. But they were not sedevacantists. The Monastery(when in Jersey) hosted many wonderful weekend conferences that included speakers like Michael Davies, David Allen White, Gary Potter, Fr. Nicholas Gruner, Gerry Matatics, and many others.
Brother Joseph also owned property in upstate NY, and this is where Brother Michael moved. He sold the property in Jersey to a group of traditional Catholics who attended the Monastery regularly. Fr. William Ashley was the priest in residence from 1998 to 2001. Now the priest in residence is Fr. Robert Pasley. Mass is offered daily in the Tridentine Rite(the property operates with the full permission of the Camden Archdiocese).

When Brother Michael moved to New York, he took a sedevacantist position. And that's about all I know.