New Camaldoli Hermitage

While the number of monks and nuns has declined dramatically in recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of lay people who want to associate with religious communities. Correspondent Kate Olson visited New Camaldoli Hermitage, a Benedictine community in Big Sur, California, where today there are 24 monks, and 700 oblates, people who live in the world and affiliate with a monastic community, following a rule for living that guides monastic life.
Support for this story provided by the George Family Foundation.
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[@Mariaangelina14]

My husband n I visited the monastery few years ago, and we attended Mass there, but never think to have a retreat there, until one of my friend.. she is a Presbyterian, and her husband is a young pastor in their church, but they've been doing retreat at the monastery every year, especially since the wife got cancer. The monastery have been a sanctuary for her. Being a Catholic myself, and seeing a non Catholic friend being open like this, make me have a better understanding that God is beyond a just religious. God works miraculously beyond our differences. So blessed with the work you've done! May God be praised!

[@MsHopeH]

The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. He wants every man, woman and child to be in the Church.

[@1960Sawman]

Back in 1983, I hitchhiked from Nebraska to California to visit a friend who lived in Big Sur. From Big Sur, I hitchhiked south to New Camaldoli and the monks let me stay for three nights. It is a very peaceful place overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

[@jamesbonomo167]

Stunning simplicity to highlight the lifestyle of the monks. More is not better.

[@nonexist]

I don’t even remember how I ended up one beautiful morning here back in 2005, I really don’t remember. However from that faithful day on my healing began. For years and years I would go and stay with them in silent retreat, sometimes 7 days long even twice a month. This place and people I encountered saved me from something bad that was pulling me down into the depths of darkness.

[@timfronimos459]

Michael Fiocca Jr your answer says it all

[@will2Collett]

this seems so dissimilar, what I mean there seems to be a lot of writers and intellects involved in this life . . .where are the gentle, modest and humble. Yes, these people seem to fill the call of the spirit - forgive my judgment here, please??? - Are we saying that learning is the real spiritual growth??? Still, I LOVE the Holy Rule and even Saint Romualds prayer for life.

[@Paul-qe1jn]

I really don't know why you guys keep the KZbin comment sections open in such videos. Just turn it off. It will be neat that way. And peaceful for the viewer. Just a tip :)

[@williamcampagna9851]

Only in California.

[@bettinagerloff7810]

Oh what a wonder. My Fingers tip to a german sing a song writer. And then, i am in the Home with Monks.

[@Shlomayo]

Yikes

[@lekunberriko1]

women in that desert?

[@TxKyCoCaNy297]

Prior Cyprian Consiglio covers up Sexual Harassment of employees at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur CA. Video readings of all relevant correspondence to be released on KZbin beginning soon.

[@timfronimos459]

The opening scene... what a horribly gruesome altar sanctuary.

[@howdydave45421]

Don't confuse "Gruesome" with "Minimal." The whole point of an eremitic way of life is to be ALONE WITH GOD... I think that the sanctuary conveys this concept very will!

[@SOC-sj8vr]

I agree with Howdy Dave. While the popular trend of minimalism in many contemporary parishes reflects a sad rejection of the tradition of the faith, there is a long tradition of minimalism in Catholic-Christian monastic spirituality. The retreat to the wilderness is itself, a moving towards a minimal, modest and moderate, and more simple life. It is only appropriate that- in this context- that a chapel would reflect such a spirituality in its altar space. It is not a rejection of the tradition, but rather a counter-cultural entrance into it.

[@MartinConnellsj]

I suggest reading, for instance, the writings on architecture of St. Bernard of Clairvaux; he claimed that churches should avoid ornamentation so as not to distract.

[@paulbastier3773]

@JohnBelz Anglican Archbishop Thomas Cranmer's "'godly table with a fair white cloth"' just about sums it up.

[@rscottlogan9471]

Liberal monks....run fast.

[@rscottlogan9471]

As a gay man I don’t see a straight monk there.You can imagine their political and theological leanings.

[@tatie7604]

How can you tell they are all gay when we didn't see all of them very well?

[@CatholicK5357]

Do you have some way of reading peoples minds or are you so arrogant as to think you are able to discern other people's struggles just by a quick glance?

[@orolicsinisa8773]

Live and let live, who cares that you are unpleasant gay you seem to be. Get a life!

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Ora Et Labora.

[@anergermen3999]

Cualquier cosa podemos ya esperarnos de la religión cristiana. Todo ha degenerado en vez de generarse.

[@bradlifto2211]

I was there I was accepted, But I left they don't accepted handicaped ones. So I am glad I did not join. Old founders do not all women in the men holy house/

[@isaiahfootnote8534]

Lay people who want to merely associate with monastic or other communities want the best of both worlds, but that is not the way of Christ, nor of what he stipulates. To be a disciple of Christ we are to leave everything, renounce all. Monastic communities should not be encouraging hypocrisy and mediocrity.

[@CatholicK5357]

That is not entirely true. Cloistered religious are kept entirely away from the world. But some religious groups have always shown hospitality to lay people. Even St Anthony of the Desert grew a garden for the visitors. And many religious groups, such as the Franciscans and Carmelites, have had ways for Lay people to take part without taking vows. Those who are not called to religious life should still be able to learn from those who are. Did Christ Himself not speak to anyone who came?

[@johnjay7255]

This is the kind of place that shouldn't get any more vocations