Monday, August 13, 2007

The Gethsemani Abbey

For Gethsemani pix, hit this: http://picasaweb.google.com/fritzwiese/2007GethsemaniAbbeyTrappistKentucky
I am writing from my room at the monastery. From Friday, Aug 10 to Monday Aug 13, I am on spiritual retreat at Gethsemani Abbey in the rolling, rural setting of Trappist, Kentucky, just about 4 hours away from Dayton, and 20 minutes from Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. Let me say, not talking for 4 days goes against the grain of this ENTJ Myers Briggs Type guy! But here “silence is spoken.” In case of emergency, we certainly can speak, and there are certain rooms and areas on the outdoor grounds where speech is permitted. But otherwise, 35 guests have joined the brothers of Gethsemani this long weekend in their daily rhythm of listening to God. Our complete silence in the dining room sure sounds different than the Wiese dinner table.
My vocal chords are primarily used for daily sung worship. The monks worship up to 7 times a day (3.15 AM, 5.45 AM, 7.30 AM, 12.15 PM, 2.15 PM, 5.30 PM and 7.30 PM), but three-four services per day has been my commitment. Compared to these guys, I’m a worship ‘slacker.’ Back in the 1960s, the sanctuary here at Gethsemani was redesigned by William Schickle, the artist who designed the lovely stained glassed window at Epiphany, entitled “The Spirit of the Lord Fills the Whole Earth,” in honor of Pastor Larry’s retirement. I understand there are lovely hiking and running trails on the grounds, but I find myself curiously drawn to focus on the simplistic routine for meditation, prayer, worship, reading and reflection—especially in light of my body still recovering from the Mount Rainier climb/odyssey. J
In 1098 the Cistercian Order of the Benedictine tradition arose. Its expansion was rapid and far reaching, including hundreds of houses across Europe. Through the Dark Ages, it was monasteries like these that helped “preserve” civilization in many regards. In 1848, the abbey of Melleray in France sent monks to establish Gethsemani, the first abbey in the United States. World famous Thomas Merton is one of the monks of Gethsemani who furthered this abbey’s reputation. Today, the monks follow a three-fold daily rhythm: prayer, work, and sacred reading. I’m writing from a comfortable, air conditioned simple room; the monks live in un-airconditioned, unadorned rooms, but experience God’s love and joy richly in community. They view their life as a complete, typical human life, simply having intentionally eliminated the “noise” of the world, which in their mind detracts and interferes with our Christian focus of praising God.
In addition to wonderful memories of reflection and prayer, I’ll be bringing back some fudge and cheese made by the brothers, the sale of which is their primary means of support. Gethsemani is a retreat center open to Christians of all backgrounds. Weekend and weekday retreats are available at no cost; a freewill offering is accepted. Please consider taking advantage of this wonderful retreat space in God’s kingdom, just a short drive away from Dayton. I’d be glad to talk to you more about it.

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