He prays that there will always be dark, quiet churches, so that even if folks dont know how to pray, they can step inside a minute and breathe easily. .av_font_icon.av-js7ruq5v-79d91dabd0da5728d1183ef71ee979e5 .av-icon-char{ We checked out the gardens which was very nice, especially the oak trees that hang over the. (Other religious organizations, like Hillsong Church, for example, have used Instagram and other platforms to reach and engage with younger generations.) And Mepkin Abbey is the epitome of Charleston. Father Butter was there, 102 years old. After a few generations, the Laurens family sold the property, and it passed through several hands. They looked, to our untutored eyes, like Jedi. I joined the monks in chanting psalms during the seven offices of the Liturgy of the Hours, the first of which, Vigils, kicks off at 3:20 a.m. They taught me to chant psalms, to revel in the tradition, to sit in silence, to pray while working, to delight in Gods presence. Whats that about? In fact, the monks were part of our early romance. The abbey hosts about 1,500 people a year who want to experience the contemplative life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After 20 years or so it started to feel like I was talking to myself. There are many picturesque spots in the areas visitors may walk around in. I was very honest with them., And they were just so, he said, breaking into tears. In the Benedictine tradition, guests are to be received as Christ. Couldnt this go badly? The abbey grounds are huge and very well kept. This intimate Spring wedding at Mepkin Abbey was EVERYTHING. Mepkin retreatants are welcome to observe the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks, joining in worship and prayer at all seven daily services in the Abbey Church, beginning with Lauds at 3:20. Still, Mepkins future is anything but certain. And I give her all the credit for getting me into weddings as well! They were, in a way. If not, fine, but if so, heres the way to do it: Meet in small groups. The monks at Mepkin Abbey taught me how to pray again. Silent in front of the reserve sacrament. The door is open so that guests can hear the reading while we eat in silence. line-height:20px; This is a must see, bring your camera and walking shoes. I reported to the retreat house, a gleaming glass and steel half-cloister that is the most recent addition to the abbeys modern buildings. And we expect to be here for another thousand years, he said. What time is the ceremony? We dont have a big financial reserve, said Father Stan Gumula, Mepkins abbot, adding that an endowment, which the monastery does not have, goes against what Trappists are for. Even the profit margins on the monks agricultural business which helps sustain the monastery and, by their accounts, is quite profitable is limited by their daily prayer schedule, which severely restricts the number of hours available each day for work. We rounded a corner into the reserve sacrament chapel, and there the monks were. Beautiful and Peaceful Gardens on the Banks of the Cooper River. While members of other Catholic orders Dominicans and Jesuits, for example focus partly on outreach, Trappists, who are formally known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, do not. Over the same period, the monks average age has steadily risen by nearly 50 years up to 77, from around 30. In January 2007, a PETA investigation found that the abbey's hens endure constant abuse for almost two years before they are killed. .av_font_icon.av-js7ruq5v-543682e18588060c4cfa95ae87281cf8 .av-icon-char{ Every one of them. The moss draped trees add a mystical feel to the experience and you leave feeling tranquil and spiritually at peace. Having a month off from parental responsibilities is a great luxury which I hope is afforded equally to both partners. Mepkin Abbey was definitely showing off for us! Across all orders, the number of Catholic brothers in the United States has declined by more than two-thirds since 1965, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. So far, Mepkin has shunned all forms of social media both individually and institutionally. During my month at Mepkin, there were two fractious incidents between monastic inhabitants. read more. FOR A YEAR.), Were at such a you might say desperate point, said Father Guerric Heckel, that were being forced to try something new and innovative.. Copyright 2023 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. I have, in the same position, a photo of Mepkin Abbey. Several monasteries wall off guests from monks. The first record of the name was a 1681 grant to the sons of Sir John Coleton, one of the Lords Proprietary of South Carolina. I invited a few lay leaders and a few college students from the Methodist campus ministry, and away we went. this helps us promote a safe and accountable online community, and allows us to update you when other commenters reply to your posts. The monastery also generates income from the store at its visitors center, which sells dried mushrooms and a slew of other products, many of which are produced at other Trappist monasteries; its retreat center, which hosts both individual and group visitors; timber that is harvested by outside contractors; and a new nondenominational columbarium, which offers a place for funeral urns to be stored on Mepkins grounds. It is a place of beauty, peace and rebirth. font-size:20px; Why a happily married father of six became a monk (for a month) A building commitment rooted in the local ground became a commitment to welcome the guest with particular vulnerability and openness. Many young people of the Roman Catholic tradition, Father Guerric added, will simply not be attracted to forms of monasticism that require celibacy and a lifetime commitment. We had unhurried time to talk. Mepkin Abbey - A quiet spot away from it all | Local Attractions Its eight remaining monks took up residence in a nursing home in Salt Lake City. What a lovely visit we had to this beautiful place. He stage-whispered to each one of us with inappropriate loudness, When youre 102, Ill come pray for you. Abbot Stan stood off in the corner, his shepherds crook beside him, and openly wept. Are You A Liturgist With A Passion to Form Young Adults? Moncks Corner, SC 29461 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. So why didnt I want to introduce my Methodist congregants to them? This article planted in me a desire to go again.I do not understand why people read an article in which the author shares something personal of his spiritual life and experience, and people have a need to respond with criticism. Theres no work for guests to do, other than volunteering to shovel if you want. This is a private home/community for monks with limited public areas to stroll about in. Since Methodism is a revivalist sect, if were not reviving anybody, what are we doing? shop where you can buy crafts from other Moncks and they also grow and sell mushrooms. Even weekend retreats (2 and 1/2 days) with 3 kids and the wife at home invoke guilt. There was no room for a wall, and if there were, itd have just blocked the breeze. Look, he said, I cant get Catholic priests to come to this place. At the time I was just taking headshots, family photos, and nature photos. They have a terrific gift shop. We took a tour of Mepkin Abbey and it cost $5 per person. The sign asks you to sit in the back, but the request is only there, it seems, to be flaunted. I am middle-aged, happily married and the father of six children. If you want to know how the monks manage to live peaceably in community, day after day after day, there is your answer. The address is: 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. While the monks do not participate in any way in the ceremony, they are pleased to make the gardens available for weddings. And for the last 73 years since he joined the order at age 17, answering a call from God, he said physical labor has been an integral part of his daily routine. He has the biggest heart I know. Methodists go home knowing how to be Methodists again. I didnt know what he meant. The monastery grounds include a graveyard containing the ashes of Henry Laurens, as well as the graves of John Laurens, Clare Boothe Luce, and Henry Luce. Not without good reason then, his voice is ours, and our voice is also his. Im pretty sure I was even holding back tears at this point. Thank you and God bless you and your loved ones. At the 11:30 you get to view the monks pre-dinner prayer service. A day after the animal rights organization PETA called for a boycott of Mepkin Abbey eggs, and nearly a year after the group first complained to the abbey about egg production there, Abbot. Eventually, I recognized my error and came to appreciate that a book recommendation from a Trappist monk is a precious gift, something that the monk believes or perhaps knows will help you on the journey. Who was I to deny this nourishment to others? Another time at the abbey I volunteered my paltry services to work with the monks. The local mushrooms are available for purchase but also served in numerous fine restaurants in the area. There are two magnificent wood carvings made from the trunks of two live oak trees that fell during hurricane Hugo almost years ago. //-->. Mepkin Abbey: Hell for Chickens | PETA Hes a round man in every way: midsectionally round, bald of head round, broad of smile round, love of Jesus round. I first met Jessica while I was working a full-time job before I went full time with photography! I've known Jessica and Bobby for a few years now. What a peaceful place. Needless to say, bring along a camera. He is no longer strong enough, he said, to regularly attend the first or last of Mepkins seven daily prayer services vigils at 3:20 a.m., and compline at 7:35 p.m. Such a unique place to visit.We visited here to tour the abbey and attend the mod day prayer service. Then they prayed, wept, begged God for their health, and lined us all up to pray for them, one by one. Required fields are marked *. Such a great blog post about the Mepkin Abbey wedding venue! There were 57 manger scenes on display. We can't do it without youAmerica Media relies on generous support from our readers. Upcoming Events at Mepkin Abbey Schedule; From 3 Mar 2023 March, 2023 3 Fri 3 days Tai Chi Retreat - Friday-Monday, March 3-6, 2023 6 Mon 1 week 7 Day Individual Retreat - Monday-Monday March 6-March 13, 2023 10 Fri 3 days Individual Retreat - Friday-Monday, March 10-13, 2023 . Interview: Whats it like to photograph Pope Francis? Mepkin Abbey is truly a wonderful place to viit. Monks at Mepkin also adhere to a strict vegetarian diet and maintain a largely silent atmosphere although its not as if we dont speak, Father Stan explained. The brothers knew, Mr. Hagan said. And in a departure from its otherwise passive approach, Mepkin created an ad campaign albeit a small and highly targeted one to publicize the program. These Methodists knew in their bones they were supposed to pursue a disciplined way of prayer. Please arrive 30 minutes prior so that you can find a seat and get settled in. So they have to shuffle a little to free their hands to turn the pages in their psalm books. Work is another central pillar of life for the Trappists at Mepkin as a means of supporting the community, providing solidarity with workers, and promoting a healthy mind and body. Jaylynn heard from me how wonderful they were, so she wanted to visit. Wedding Photography at Mepkin Abbey - Charleston Wedding Pray. Those blessings included daily Mass, which at Mepkin Abbey begins at 6:30 a.m. Or they wouldnt like it and theyd judge me for being too Catholic. But theres no TV. The church is beautiful and the organ is one of a kind. The abbeys new affiliate program will offer two new short-term monastic options for people of any, or no, faith traditions: a monthlong monastic institute, open to men and women, and a yearlong residency. THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near Mepkin Abbey - tripadvisor.com var pfHeaderImgUrl = '';var pfHeaderTagline = '';var pfdisableClickToDel = 0;var pfHideImages = 0;var pfImageDisplayStyle = 'left';var pfDisablePDF = 0;var pfDisableEmail = 0;var pfDisablePrint = 0;var pfCustomCSS = '';var pfBtVersion='2';(function(){var js,pf;pf=document.createElement('script');pf.type='text/javascript';pf.src='//cdn.printfriendly.com/printfriendly.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(pf)})(); I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! Why are we unique? Peaceful place to reflect. Peaceful place to reflect. He works as a securities lawyer for a bank in New York City. Some tips for making the most of your twilight years. The, crche exhibit is incredible and extensive - be sure to vote for your favorite. My wife, Jaylynn, has a photo from our wedding day by the side of our bed. If youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you! And theres a chance, too, that American monasteries will be forced to rely on the arrival of more monks from overseas. The Mepkin Abbey gate is open from 6am-6pm. Do it anyway. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. I had already heard what I needed to hear. The only drawback was the occasional boater to disturb the tranquility. Naturally, I was involved in one of them. Morning wedding at the Abbey gardens on the 4th of July. I was so fascinated by that that I wrote my dissertation on Augustines doctrine of the whole Christ. But I have also been fascinated by the way that some of the older monks at Mepkin dont even have to open their psalm books. Stephen, his wife Dina and the youngest of their six children live in Bronxville, N.Y. Stephen and Dina have made pilgrimages with America Media to Ignatian Spain and the Holy Land. 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