A look at contemplative life today

[@SusanLangridge]

What a beautiful place. Please keep my son Paul in your prayers (he struggles with life)but keeps going.bless you all there.

[@kwkw5711]

Lord have mercy on Paul and assist him withbhis struggles

[@cynthiacassel]

Praying for your son. I pray God will give him strength and peace to ease his struggles and may he know the love of a present and gentle God

[@estherpaulo9378]

I’ve learned to give Jesus Christ all my needs, family and worrisome. May the peace of Jesus Christ flows through your heart, mind and soul, today and thereafter.🙏 (John 3:16)✨👑💫

[@Cariad247]

Prayers being said for Paul and you 🙏

[@SusanLangridge]

@@Cariad247 thank you x

[@lambertthongnirit3150]

I love the contemplative life. God bless all those who have embraced it😊😊

[@redmi9834]

Enclosure for nuns has been relaxed somewhat since Vatican 2. The double offset grille with a curtain covering it has largely been abandoned as also that very strict papal enclosure where most nuns stayed within the cloister and never went outside. I knew one such nun who entered a cloistered order at 16 and lived till she was 90+ and never went out until.she was carried out in a coffin.

[@eleanorbaronyofelfsea7949]

Before I was widowed and moved from Georgia to Texas I was able to make annual retreats at Mepkin for many years. So many wonderful memories of the monks and the beautiful grounds. I have a thick journal of all of the spiritual insights I received over the years during my visits which I will always treasure. Thank you monks of Mepkin for simply being and so welcoming!

[@adilsonjoaomartins5949]

Lindas palavras minha irmã 🌹. Deus te abençoe ete faça muito feliz 🙏🏼🙌🏼🥰

[@lanceglassgow3761]

Great video. The world needs more prayer ✝️

[@lynnjudd9036]

Yes it does! And we can all learn from these people of how we can let go of all the stress in life if we let God in.

[@marianne7049]

Mepkin Abbey is truly a breath of fresh air. I have walked its grounds a number of times over the year and a half I have lived here in South Carolina and every time I experience the Mepkin I walk away with new hope, a new revelation and a reawakening of my spirit and soul. I have purchased many things in their sweet gift shop. I have a beautiful cactus growing outside my home that I bought last year at the garden sale. Whenever I need a moment to just let it all go, I go to Mepkin. I truly appreciate the brothers and the life that they live. Not many have that deep relationship with God but through them you feel God’s presence while you are there. Thank you.

[@Marfil0]

Please, pray for me and my family.

[@johntrombello8088]

I have made several private retreats at Mepkin. It is a beautiful place and the monks are wonderful. God bless you and prayers for more vocations to monastic life.

[@anthonymcnamara6306]

"How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord God of Hosts". Beautiful, Brothers may you grow in Vocations. You live the Cistercian Life so beautifully, God bless you, and Yes Fr Prior, God has plans for Mepkin. Never has The World needed the Monastic Life then now , with all that is going on in the World,Pray for us all and for Peace on Earth.

[@tedthetowerdoucette1933]

Hello Monks! Beautiful and inspiring video. You all live in a little paradise. So glad you open your piece of heaven to all people. Keep up your good work, and may the Good Lord bless you with many more monks to keep this blessed place alive. Your vocation is sorely needed in this crazy world. Thank you all for giving your lives to the Lord. Keep on praying!

[@williamstachowskl921]

And thanks and prayer I hope I can come there and Culture culture only only love and holy humility. Thank you most alwaysder than me.

[@williamstachowskl921]

27:08

[@cynthiacassel]

It’s beautiful. I am not an early morning person so that was always a struggle and I’m not naturally gifted with the noble silence. I’m glad these places exist to keep the rule alive.

[@Yeteva1]

I had the privilege of working here as their night time nurse for 2 .5 years ! They taught me so many things ! I will be forever grateful !

[@Lynn-uf4ip]

Wow! What a gorgeous setting.

[@podatus1098]

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your vocation with us.

[@BBFCCO733]

We can all bring contemplative life to our lives. Pray, simplify your life, work with your hands, be grateful, grow in suffering, learn to live in silence, obey Christ and the path he set out for you regardless of your will and spend time alone, teach the value of contemplative habits to your family. Peace is priceless. God Bless you all. xo

[@RobLewis3]

I don't know if I could do it. But it's interesting. They have it figured out.

[@redmi9834]

It's a vocation or calling. Few are called to it and fewer persevere to the end. My one time novice master used to remind us when a member of the community left that the good that we wish to do is not always the good that He wants us to do.

[@kocho6950]

what a very mysterious life. I hope that i will be able to pass the trials in the seminary and also became a monk or priest 🙏🙏

[@lizhao6979]

真是人間仙境啊。 昨天，我沿著悠長的小徑走了很長的路，夜色已經降臨，天上窄窄的一彎新月，稀疏和昏暗的路燈，兩側又密又寬敞的住宅。我跟在先生後面，靜悄悄地前行，看見溫暖的燈光，聽見大宅裡面父親的聲音，孩子的聲音，水崕下小船在水面上蕩漾，船上人的悄悄話，遠處小島上的人聲，再遠處迷離惝恍的都市虹光，心裡感覺得到時光像湯湯的大河，無聲地往前流，這一切都將消失。那種惆悵和心痛讓人驚覺和恢復正念。 夜裏夢到這個世界變成立一座荒廢古宅，幸好很多人從裡面走出來，像散場的劇院。 所以讚美吧，我們就是要永遠讚美造物，創造一切美好，也要讚美時光，帶走這一切美好。

[@garyfeldhege9849]

Nicely done, brothers. Your retreat house and accommodations are the finest and your hospitality gracious. I hope to return soon for another retreat.

[@jaydreadly8432]

I ❤churches all apostolic churches. Catholic and all orthodox oriental and byzantine. She truly is a beautiful bride. Catholics have many beautiful orders.. I try to always bring Catholic and orthodox together. I'm hopeful we can unite again..

[@philmcdonald6088]

the future of the church is in the monasteries.

[@andiebrodie3936]

Yes please, sign me up!!!!

[@Jmjemmanual]

God Bless you all Priests and Brothers, praying for you all.❤❤❤

[@BlackHermit]

The contemplative life is the true life.

[@MylesWanke]

So sad to hear that Brother Kyle passed away, may he rest eternally with our Lord and all the Saints in Heaven.

[@Amandaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I'm protestant and I wanna visit! Love Monastic History

[@TCM1231]

God Bless ❤

[@Eternallyhopeful7788]

So beautiful! I’d love to visit sometime… when God wills… beautiful place!

[@meanchoolee5845]

Praise the Lord

[@jluarts9678]

Just pray for me..i want to serve God but seeking what way... God bless us

[@davidstankiewicz2049]

Beautiful 😍

[@joer5627]

Well done, Gentlemen!

[@joegilbody4878]

Great video. I am Orthodox.

[@casadechris923]

Contemplative communities are the “lungs of Holy Mother Church”.

[@meanchoolee5845]

Father please pray for me Michelle

[@maryland8532]

My dad said he took prayer request to Mapkin and rang a bell to let the brothers know. 1950’s

[@dee22466]

Please pray for ireland we are suffering pray please that our island returns to Jesus xxx d

[@Yambataller]

Wow, I’d love to live there

[@sudalinkharraswai2053]

Me dp me

[@kilroyjones7786]

I want to be a monk but I'm 51 now..is it too late?

[@redmi9834]

Some do have an age limit. There are monastic communities that have live-in oblates or helpers.

[@teresaoftheandes6279]

If you can physically live the life, you can probably find a monastery that considers older vocations on an individual basis.

[@spg77777]

I was at St. Josephs (Spencer, Mass.) in the early '90s...35 yo cut off for the OCSO. It's very physically demanding and can be a difficult transition mentally. Also, "being a monk" is independent of a particular physical location... it's an inner disposition. Pray, read, learn (to listen) and build your own monastery within... Pax.

[@hankearl3671]

Mount saviour monastery accepts postulants a few years past 50, its a benedictine Monastery in Elmira NY

[@mistyviolet3825]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@maryflaherty7096]

First time I saw this. I like to learn about Monk’ lives.

[@walterwessels-artistsscree2877]

If there is one need in prayer is for candidates who wish to come & see the lifestyle of the monks is the financial means, i know because for years if been struggling to make ends meet & consider such a journey but hopefully soon

[@EmmanuelAmeh-ex8nj]

Grate

[@briansmith3248]

Please monks of mepkin abbey monastery pray for me I need to find peace

[@Pinkwillow62]

Is there a woman's version just like this this beautiful vocation ?

[@Rico-q1q]

I found this video to be rather shocking. TheTrappists used to be known as one of the more hardcore, ascetic, Catholic monastic orders, but from the opening shot onward, this video is saying that they are now recruiting anyone who is seeking a "monastic lifestyle" or "monastic spirituality" in a quiet setting with beautiful grounds -- one doesn't even need to be a Catholic! Starting around minute 18, the video says that the monastery was basically dying out, so they gave up on their roots and traditions and now welcome anyone (including lay people) to attend their services. It no longer can be accurately described as a Catholic monastery. The overall look and feel of the place is similar to an upscale retirement home. Compare Mepkin with the head monastery of the Carthusian religious order as depicted in the film "Into Great Silence" -- it is like night and day. I doubt this watered down, accessible "spirituality" will be successful. The abbey should be headed in the exact opposite direction.

[@judyrussoniello1497]

❤❤❤🎉

[@carolyuengling8085]

Eternal blessings of safety, love, abundance in good health and good fortunes and the grace of God, Ghavam-Yuengling ♾️ forever. 🌄🥳💜©️♾️ 9:11 AM. ET. 10/27/2024.

[@mulengathepilot2288]

Please pray for me. That God may open new job opportunities for me and financial freedom and may he strengthen my relationship with my partner. To both grow in love. Am Catholic too. Amen

[@devoradamaris]

🕊🌎🕊🕊sharing🫂thankYOU

[@Jack-il3qv]

Places of silence and silent people will attract all men. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 'Study to be quiet..'

[@priestsfortherestorationof9390]

Selling out is a short-term solution. Return to tradition and honor the sacrifices that the faithful made so that GOD is honored, not you. There are MANY real Catholic monasteries who have remained faithful to the Monastic idea. May those who are decerning Monastic life find these communities.

[@maik4946]

It's a lovely life that some are called to. Do they do works of charity ? Like visit prison or donate to the problems of the world financially?

[@shaunsaega]

The Church has called different people to different ministries. The Church is contemplative and mystical, just as much as she is active and dynamic. This is evidenced by the different institutions and orders set up by the Church. There is something for everyone.

[@spg77777]

The OCSO is cloistered. So, no external works. Donations yes.

[@angelamalek]

If we want more vocations we need more religious in our schools. The most vocations are coming from conservative orders.

[@paulcapaccio9905]

Too much noise in the world. Too fast too much money

[@andrewmiles3378]

There is much that is deeply problematic in this video. Who in God's name designed their chapel?! And praising Vatican II as a source of renewal when it has emptied monasteries and convents worldwide is dramatic irony to say the least!

[@redmi9834]

Our church is still in denial about what happened in the wake of Vatican II. I was a year off taking final vows when the community took off down the road of freedom of spirit and community life was turned on its head. Looking back now at what happened since I left makes me grateful that I got out when I did. I was a sacristan at the time of leaving and before they started that nonsense of liturgical experimentation. There was no way I would have wanted to participate in some of those outrageous antics on the sanctuary being passed off as the Catholic Mass. I would not have been able to get up and walk out as I am free to do now and have done in the past.

[@oldmanjoe6808]

Hiding from real life is a psychosis of overwhelming self-importance, a form of Narcissism, and the pretense that such a lifestyle has anything at all to do with self-invented holiness is rubbish. No where does Holy Scripture teach true believers are to hide under a rock in some cloistered garden, as in Mt.25:14-46, which tells us these people have no portion with Christ.

[@jaydreadly8432]

I have nothing against monastics .. I would love to visit a Monastery someday. Maybe mnt athos in Greece. These monks are amazing

[@Melifter]

Wow; talk about putting a negative spin on those who have chosen to dedicate their entire lives to prayer for the world. The purpose of the cloistered life in the Catholic Church is to allow our monks and nuns to pray for others, seek God’s face, and reflect. The enclosure helps prevent and maintains an atmosphere of silence. Why is it that it must only be maintained in scripture? You seem like a smart individual; so, clearly, you’re very well aware that the cloistered monks and nuns are not Protestants, and do not follow the ideology of sola scriptura. As Catholics, we we believe in both scripture and tradition. Where does it say in the holy Bible that only the holy Bible is the guide to a holy life? It doesn’t. I live close by to a Poor Clare’s monastery. These nuns are all highly educated and hardly suffer from any form of psychosis or narcissism. That I can promise you. Narcissistic? Your entire statement is laughable.

[@oldmanjoe6808]

@@Melifter All wrong. Eph 5:5,6 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." The scheme of hiding away out of contact with the public has nothing to do with prayer, and God does not hear the words of the unredeemed, anyway. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

[@Melifter]

@@oldmanjoe6808 , sure, pal. What’s the answer? Talking down on people on the internet like you do is clearly more holy. I’ll write a letter to the Holy See and demand the Pope disestablish those in a contemplative life. Your way is definitely the path to righteousness. 😂.

[@mn22286]

The video seems to indicate that non-Catholics may become monks but the website says that being a Catholic is required. Was allowing in non-Catholics something that happened in the past but is no longer allowed?

[@redmi9834]

I suspect that it is a matter of numbers and how many the guest house can accommodate. If the demand from Catholics is great and the guest house is small, I think they would give priority to their own faithful above those who are not Catholics and just want the experience of staying in a monastery.

[@katy1282]

I believe that you have to first convert to Catholicism to be able to continue in your journey towards becoming a monk. May God Bless you and guide you per his Holy Will. Amen.