Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC

After reading my post "A Month in the Desert", one of my friends was concerned that I didn't have a good experience at Mepkin Abbey in SC when I went there in 2005.   Before I left, some friends/frienemies expressed doubt that I could be quiet for 4 days...and in truth it was difficult.  But my experience at the Abbey was also relaxing, prayerful and powerful.  I thoroughly enjoyed being with the Monks.  I remember being greeted by a 90-something long, grey-beared, stooped-over, tunic-clad monk, who led a tour of the grounds for the small group of visitors gathered at the giftshop.  He pointed me toward a statue off in the distance and suggested I go take a look after the tour was over.   I was struck to my core as I viewed the statue of Mary nursing baby Jesus at her breast while lashed to a cross. I had never thought of her maternity as a sacrifice before.

I joined the community of brothers and priests in worship as they gathered five times a day to sing, chant the psalms, and praise God.  It was awesome and mysterious to rise in the night and make my way by flashlight down the quiet road to the church for a 2:00 AM greeting of the new day.  The high point of the week was the celebration of the Sunday morning mass with the priests, brothers, and guests of the Abbey.  I remember being racked with sobs as the principal celebrant powerfully proclaimed the Gospel "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."  (Matt 11:25-30)

Yes, being open to "what God had in store" without having to "do" anything was very much against my natural tendencies.  And yet in the end, I was reminded that I really didn't have to do or be anything special to be loved by God.  Jesus, if I asked Him, would carry my load.   And so thinking back on that experience and anticipating the next, I realize that not only am I willing, but I am also excited to do it again, this time in a far-flung location and for a whole month.  Yes, I'm eager to see what God has in store.

Horarium

• 3:00 AM | Rise
• 3:20-4 AM | Vigils
• 4-4:30 AM | Meditation, followed by Lectio Divina or private prayer
• 5:30-6 AM | Lauds
• Breakfast, followed by Lectio Divina
• 7:30 AM | Eucharist, followed by 15 minutes thanksgiving
• 8:20-8:30 AM | Terce

-Grand Silence Ends-

• 8:35-11:30 AM | Morning Work Period
• 12:00 PM | Sext, followed by Dinner and None
• 1-1:40 PM | Optional Siesta
• 1:45-3:30 PM | Afternoon Work Period
• 5-5:30 PM | Supper
• 6-6:30 PM | Vespers
• 7:35-8 PM | Compline

-Grand Silence Begins-

• 8:00 PM | Retire

---

Sunday Schedule is the same except:

• 7:30 AM | Terce precedes Eucharist
• 5-6 PM | Vespers & Benediction, followed by supper