Author Topic: My old Monastery (Read 1387 times)

Petertherock · « **on:** February 19, 2014, 09:45:18 PM »

This was the Monastery I spent a summer at as a candidate. Unfortunately, do to health problems I was not accepted. I miss this place every single day. At the time I was very upset at God for not letting me stay there, but after the death of my father almost 2 years ago, I found out why God didn't allow me to stay. My mom needed me and needs me since she is elderly and needs me to help her. But of course I still miss the Monastery and living in such a holy place. The priest in this video was my spiritual director and confessor and he was very good. He also offered a TLM every day where he wasn't the main celebrant in the Maronite liturgy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/embed/sblQHzGBwIo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/youtube]

Here is their web site...

http://maronitemonks.org/wp/

shin · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2014, 12:02:34 PM »

I have always thought a monastery where you could a spend a good long time in Eucharistic Adoration to be about the ideal.

moneil · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2014, 10:32:05 PM »

Thank you for posting the video Peter, it was inspiring to watch.

I remember from another forum your speaking of the monastery and your frustration with not being able to join because of health issues.

I've had my frustrations about things and have had to try and muster faith that either I need to put other things aside and work harder on the goal, or that maybe God has another plan for my life. Sometimes the later has been revealed.

I'm happy that you've found some understanding.

Zeitun · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2014, 01:57:40 PM »

If a man's health won't allow the priesthood does that mean he's also too sick for marriage?

Nadir · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2014, 02:56:49 PM »

Zeitun, Peter didn't say he was sick, only that he was told his health would not stand up to the rigours of this particular form of religious life.

The monastic religious life is one that goes against the nature, transcending the natural life, whereas marriage is the life that is normally followed according to nature.

So in a sense a person needs to be stronger to be able to withstand the deprivation that religious life brings with it. (this is not to deny the spiritual benits of the former). So the answer to your question, in most cases, would be No.

shin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2014, 03:50:21 PM »

Some monasteries have a schedule where you wake up in the middle of the night for an hour or so, every night, do midnight prayers, before going back to sleep.

Others you have to do a lot of physical labor.

It can be too difficult to adjust to for some folks. The older you get the harder it can tend to be to adjust.

Petertherock · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2014, 04:25:03 PM »

The reason I wasn't accepted is because of my diabetes. The Abbot and my spiritual director was in favor of accepting me, but the Abbot doesn't get to vote and my spiritual director was also my confessor so he wasn't allowed a vote either. The Abbot said he could have overruled the council but if he did he would probably be looking for a new monastery after the council voted him out. I think he was joking about that, but I understand what he was saying. It is very rare and only for grave reasons that an Abbot would overrule the vote of the council.

In addition to the diabetes, I also had problems with kidney stones while I was there which put me in the hospital a couple of times and thanks be to God the Abbot took care of those medical bills for me. So I understand their concern about medical costs. Unfortunately, that's become a big concern for many orders.

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2014, 05:08:30 PM »

Bless you for posting that video, Peter. It really does look like an amazing place and I'm sorry you weren't accepted. God bless you in your future travels.