This is a private home/community for monks with limited public areas to stroll about in. This Trappist Abbey Isnt. In this Oct. 30, 2013, Abbot Stan Gumula discusses recent additions at Mepkin Abbey during an interview at the abbey in Moncks Corner, S.C. 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. Mepkin Abbey is part of the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. It's very beautiful all times of the year and I plan to go as often as I can. But maybe a smaller number will. Theres tons of young people who are interested in spirituality, Father Joe said. [3] Mepkin Abbey defended itself by citing their compliance with the animal welfare standards of the United Egg Producers. I dont even remember what I said, but I guess it was funny! This is a fabulous place to Our wedding is on Friday, May 4, 2018 - Star Wars Day! Mepkin Abbey was definitely showing off for us! fbq('track', 'ViewContent'); White robes, long sleeves, beards, and bald heads. In the Benedictine tradition, guests are to be received as Christ. The address is: 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Serene and The horn of a freight train blaring from across the Cooper River, a temporary reminder of the noise and distractions of the outside world. A visit will give you an interesting look into a more devout way of life. We cannot find a time, until the Reformation, when there was Christianity without monks and nuns. Check out some of the. If not, fine, but if so, heres the way to do it: Meet in small groups. Now the books suggested by the monks are helping to change my life. The problem was that I never had the time to read them. And I give her all the credit for getting me into weddings as well! Check out some of my other favorite weddings on the blog: Jessica and Shauns Seabrook Island Wedding, Ashleigh and Devans Isle of Palms Wedding. Thankfully, the monastic guest program at Mepkin is open to all. Thank you! Stay a while and say hello! Methodists would descend on the place and overrun it. In fact, the monks were part of our early romance. But theres a growing belief among Mepkins brothers that certain elements of the Trappist tradition its cultivation of mindfulness, stillness and inward exploration are increasingly relevant to todays youth. So she gathered her tray and breezed out of the guest areaand right into the monks area. I had already heard what I needed to hear. What are you feeding these Methodists? You can take a self-guided tour of the gardens Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We wanted a good product, a healthy product, Father Stan explained. In short, they retaught me how to be Christian. Mepkin Abbey is truly a wonderful place to viit. Still, Mepkins future is anything but certain. The truth is, I was becoming restless during my monastic stints. It is way off the beaten path Not a place for active kids. All the buildings have been built around the trees.. These tensions pose a thorny question: To what degree can and should age-old religious traditions adapt to survive in a rapidly evolving world? Now you see why I was hesitant to taint Mepkin with Methodists. For us, the silence is second nature, he said, adding that visitors often find it conducive to a transformative experience. Javascript must be enabled for Bookwhen to function properly. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. But Mepkin Abbey had fed my soul. (While there, he used the first name Aelred.). The liturgies at Mepkin are short and simple, the homilies concise and incisive. They were relearning prayer, as I had done years before. For a Month. This intimate Spring wedding at Mepkin Abbey was EVERYTHING. Perhaps he should have addressed that. Needless to say, bring along a camera. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Individual abbeys juggle these occasionally competing commitments in different ways. Teach the illiterate. Simple gorgeous grounds and a beautiful day. The monastery now produces around 1,400 pounds of mushrooms each week half oyster mushrooms, half shiitake. Peaceful place to reflect. God was busily making all things new. 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. The overarching sense here is that Mepkin has so much to offer to the worlds spiritual searchers irrespective of their ties to any formal religion. 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd. We do not provide an option to turn off essential cookies because they are required to deliver security and enable core site functionality. In 1936 the well-known publisher Henry R. Luce bought the property. And I give her all the credit for getting me into weddings as well! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Cardinal McElroy on radical inclusion for L.G.B.T. Planning your wedding can be overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn't have to be! Add a bit of spirituality to your getaway at Mepkin Abbey. In seminary, friends told me about Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina Low Country, near the coast. 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. What a spectacular site for a wedding. Yes, I got Bobby to show a real, genuine smile! Mr. Hagan, who is gay, said that he renounced his monastic vows to explore life as an openly gay man, free from the Trappist rules of chastity and seclusion. Yet they also vow poverty, chastity, obedience, and devotion to prayer. When you register, youll get unlimited access to our website and a free subscription to our email newsletter for daily updates with a smart, Catholic take on faith and culture from, Were sorry registration isn't working smoothly for you. The monastery itself, which comprises a church, the monks refectory (dining hall) and living quarters, administrative offices, and a library, is nestled within a landscape dominated by large oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Jaylynn heard from me how wonderful they were, so she wanted to visit. You can also manage your account details and your print subscription after logging in. The brothers knew, Mr. Hagan said. Do you want a wedding photo shoot at the Mepkin Abbey? Whats a monk? Thats what everyone dreams of right?! Mepkin sits above the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, so its pre-AC builders did what sandlappers do and set the buildings at an angle. There is nice small gift shop which helps support the community. The Creche display each fall near Thanksgiving is awe inspiring to see Nativity scenes from around the world. Over the same period, the monks average age has steadily risen by nearly 50 years up to 77, from around 30. You'll have to buy some of the Mushrooms that the Monks grow (dried or fresh). The abbey grounds are huge and very well kept. Before you go, check the hours and for special events here on their . Mepkin Abbey is not exactly a place of retreat from the "real world," nor is it a sanctuary populated by holy and wise men who might deign to bequeath upon their worshipful and awestruck. We put our hands on their old, bald heads and prayed Gods blessings of life and health and peace, on these brothers who are also our brothers. Mepkin is fairly unique in the Trappist world for how deeply it invites guests into its life. Yes, Karen you missed it. And for those who just want to stroll through the well-manicured gardens and enjoy the beauty of live oak trees with Spanish moss, abundant flowering plants and interesting wood sculptures, this is the place to go. My wife, Jaylynn, has a photo from our wedding day by the side of our bed. We checked out the gardens which was very nice, especially the oak trees that hang over the. Your email address will not be published. So far, Mepkin has shunned all forms of social media both individually and institutionally. The other is from St. Augustine, who acknowledges that when we pray through the psalms, Christ prays through us: This psalm is spoken in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, both head and members. Wondering why we ask for your email, or having trouble registering. Mepkin Abbey: Our Wedding - See 138 traveler reviews, 104 candid photos, and great deals for Moncks Corner, SC, at Tripadvisor. Jason Byassee teaches homiletics and biblical hermeneutics at the Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia. The community sees itself as a steward of the monasterys grounds, and as a leader in the local environmental movement. Thank you so much! For example, there is a person in my workplace who, a decade ago, saw to it that I suffered more than necessary from a Hobbesian Wall Street reorganization. A glimpse into monastic life at Mepkin Abbey with Fr. I first met Jessica while I was working a full-time job before I went full time with photography! I just felt like I had to acknowledge that part of who I am, he said. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Silent in front of the reserve sacrament. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. 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. The early returns, 500 years on, are not positive. As a monk at Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina, he maintains that Roman Catholic order's code of prayer, work, seclusion, poverty and chastity. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Whats that about? Mepkin Abbey used to be a plantation on the banks of the Cooper River, but it is now the home of Trappist Monks and a retreat center for those who want to take a break from the everyday stresses of life. Im pretty sure I was even holding back tears at this point. During my month at Mepkin, there were two fractious incidents between monastic inhabitants. I first learned to pray from evangelicals who converted me at a Christian camp. And because Trappists see their lifestyle as a vocation, or a call from Jesus, they dont actively recruit new members. Please visit ourmembership pageto learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation. [2] His wife, Clare Boothe Luce, commissioned and built an extensive landscape garden there known as the Mepkin Garden. So why didnt I want to introduce the people at my Methodist church to them? Jesuit Father Hans Zollner will be a consultant for the Diocese of Romes office dedicated to safeguarding minors and vulnerable people. Even weekend retreats (2 and 1/2 days) with 3 kids and the wife at home invoke guilt. As the other reviewers have stated, the word that best sums up this experience is, Peaceful.Quiet.Serene.Contemplative.A place for quiet introspection. We were learning about the great traditions of the church, including monasticism, and whatever Protestant bias I had was washed away as I recognized that the church had found wisdom and grace through monks and nuns for millennia. So I asked Father Columba, formerly a parish priest in Dublin, whether I could discuss an unspecified pastoral issue with him. Have been visiting the Abbey for many years, primarily to view the annual crche display. Johnny loved the monks from the start. But one day, I finally changed my mind. And if that means closing Mepkin, that means closing Mepkin., I believe theres going to be a turnaround, he added. The guides are fantastic they know the history of the abbey quite well. I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! Since youre a frequent reader of our website, we want to be able to share even more great, As a frequent reader of our website, you know how important, A Catholic guide to your mid-life calling.