While not part of the actual tour, take time to visit the gardens. If they come, they sure dont bring laypeople, and they sure as hell dont get up at three oclock in the morning. We clomped in and sat down. It's very beautiful all times of the year and I plan to go as often as I can. Your email address will not be published. Their digital presence is also extremely limited. This blog a journal about our lives, travels, fashion, and style. line-height:20px; On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The community sees itself as a steward of the monasterys grounds, and as a leader in the local environmental movement. Surely they knew they shouldnt do that, right? Mepkin Abbey is part of the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. I think the reason they took to monastic prayer so profoundly is that Methodism is a revivalist sect. Why are we unique? And you go to bed weirdly early to compensate. The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone. Thankfully, the monastic guest program at Mepkin is open to all. All are welcome. I knew what you were thinking, Scott said. 87 talking about this. Parenting six children is a monumental task. read more, I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! I went to Mepkin Abbey with three objectives: to improve my prayer practice; to experience a full immersion into the daily life of a monk; and to begin a discernment about the next phase of my life. Their wedding was absolutely perfect in every way. Youre in church, but your entry and exit are separate from theirs, and you cant go past the divide. For more family-friendly things to do around the Lowcountry, . I got this, eating with monks, righto. 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)})(); 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. Lately, though, Brother Josephs health has taken a turn for the worse, narrowing the scope of his monastic life. 2680 Lohr Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 843-819-9705; dennis@charlestonphotoart.com; I am also serving Hilton head, Columbia, Savannah, Myrtle beach; PORTFOLIO. Based in Charleston, SCContact me at catie@catherinehurtphotography.com. 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. Maybe theyre not ready or able in this culture to make a lifetime commitment. Mepkin Abbey is a Christian (Trappist) monastery in South Carolina that runs an egg factory farm to make money. The gardens are beautiful, the setting serene, the river vistas peaceful and awesome, the chainsaw sculptures from fallen live oaks (souvenir of Hurricane Hugo) well crafted and appropriate for the abbey. These cookies are essential to our website working properly. But in 2007, in the aftermath of an immensely disruptive PETA investigation, the abbey announced plans to phase out its egg operation. I was afraid theyd ruin it. 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. Left, the church at Mepkin Abbey, and Father Stan Gumula, the abbot of Mepkin. Beautiful and Peaceful Gardens on the Banks of the Cooper River. Pray like this, at this hour, in this way, and with these people. Its eight remaining monks took up residence in a nursing home in Salt Lake City. 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. The abbey hosts about 1,500 people a year who want to experience the contemplative life. Walking paths, benches overlooking the river. It says he lives with his wife and their youngest child. Several monasteries wall off guests from monks. If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, youll have unlimited access to the website. Ask who sinned this week. I sometimes now speak of Reformed Christianity as an experiment in being Christian without anyone anywhere vowing poverty, chastity, and obedience. fbq('track', 'ViewContent'); In keeping with broader declines in the ranks of priests, nuns and brothers, Mepkins monastic community is dwindling. I wore an unflattering, hoodie-like habit. I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! Having a month off from parental responsibilities is a great luxury which I hope is afforded equally to both partners. Walking paths, benches overlooking the river. This intimate Spring wedding at Mepkin Abbey was EVERYTHING. 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461-4796 Read Reviews of Mepkin Abbey Barony House #1 of 45 Restaurants in Moncks Corner 103 reviews 401 Altman St 5.9 miles from Mepkin Abbey " We frequent this restaurant ev. It begins at 3:20 a.m. Father Stan prepares for the commencement of vespers, another of the seven daily prayer services, with holy water. I dont want to spend my remaining years simply hanging on, Father Stan said. 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. You get up ungodly early, sure. Were all getting old., Read: Silent, Yes, but Never Withdrawn: Readers Respond to this Dwindling Catholic Monastery. Before you go, check the hours and for special events here on their . The coffee, tea, hot chocolate and fresh from the oven cookies that are available during the Creche festival is a wonderful touch. And their wedding was strictly family and close friends. Whats that about? A Reflection for Saturday of the First Week of Lent, by Christopher Parker. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thank you so much! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A Bible at the conclusion of vigils, the first of seven daily prayer services at Mepkin Abbey. Interview: Whats it like to photograph Pope Francis? Yet they also vow poverty, chastity, obedience, and devotion to prayer. A visit will give you an interesting look into a more devout way of life. Right now, its a bleak situation, he said. Most of the crop is sold fresh to local restaurants and markets in Charleston. You are never in a bad location. font-size:20px; My wife, Jaylynn, has a photo from our wedding day by the side of our bed. Joe Tedesco, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-0010-scaled.jpg, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/logo.png. 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. So they have to shuffle a little to free their hands to turn the pages in their psalm books. Mepkin sits above the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, so its pre-AC builders did what sandlappers do and set the buildings at an angle. My nephew was married here the week before my mothers ashes were placed in their columbarium - she looks over the water with the oaks and magnolias seeping in between - the wooden statues and stations are moving as well as artfully magnificent. Yes, Karen you missed it. Mepkins friends and neighbors can now reserve the abbey gardens for the celebration of a marriage. 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. Can It Last? Id rather be in a community that has a vital energy and a good community life. While many monks at Mepkin are concerned about the monasterys future, they also see this moment as an opportunity to pioneer a new form of monasticism. Every sunrise and sunset, a sign of Gods presence. Fred Bahnson and Ragan Sutterfield explore this issue from different directions. Date of experience: July 2015 Ask babeol about Mepkin Abbey 2 Thank babeol This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. He works as a securities lawyer for a bank in New York City. //-->. I was mortified. What are you feeding these Methodists? The weather was perfect but this is such an enchanting place. I dont know. Mepkin Abbey is located at 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road in Moncks Corner - just far enough of a journey to explore a day away from it all. Mepkin Abbey part of a global network of Trappist monasteries that for nearly 1,000 years have provided their communities with reliable sources of prayer, learning and hospitality is edging toward a potential crisis. Required fields are marked *. in November make you reservation via the web in October it fills up fast. The Mepkin Abbey gate is open from 6am-6pm. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. She did as one does when one is nervous, like she knew exactly what she was doing, head up and eyes straight ahead. 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. In 1936 the well-known publisher Henry R. Luce bought the property. The, crche exhibit is incredible and extensive - be sure to vote for your favorite. It is way off the beaten path Not a place for active kids. Mepkin Abbey is located at 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Mepkin Abbey part of a global network of Trappist monasteries that for nearly 1,000 years have provided their communities with reliable sources of prayer, learning and hospitality is edging. But its going to look different., And Mepkin Abbey, these monks present here we want to be part of shaping what the future will look like.. Flickr/Davey Borden. Each passing nod by a fellow resident, a further embrace into the community. Still, good article. But during my third week at Mepkin, I hit the monastic wall. That sense of acceptance was affirmed by Rob Hagan, who spent 30 years as a monk at Mepkin before leaving the monastery in 2007. But one day, I finally changed my mind. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. The miracle of forgiveness also showed up unexpectedly at the monastery. After a few generations, the Laurens family sold the property, and it passed through several hands. Yes, I got Bobby to show a real, genuine smile! Father Christian took Jaylynns misunderstanding of the rules as a sign that Christ had a special grace for him and his brothers that day. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use Bookwhen. All the buildings have been built around the trees.. Yet they also vow poverty, chastity, obedience, and devotion to prayer. I dont even remember what I said, but I guess it was funny! But I have great hope in the future., Father Columba Caffrey, the newest member of Mepkins monastic community who, at the age of 60, is also one of its youngest monks, was also cautiously optimistic. Mepkin Abbey is truly a wonderful place to viit. In January 2007, a PETA investigation found that the abbey's hens endure constant abuse for almost two years before they are killed. The guides are fantastic they know the history of the abbey quite well. Peaceful place to reflect. Then they prayed, wept, begged God for their health, and lined us all up to pray for them, one by one. Planning your wedding can be overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn't have to be! Their openness has allowed them to be easy prey for, among others, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who objected to their chicken farm and forced its shutdown. As the other reviewers have stated, the word that best sums up this experience is, Peaceful.Quiet.Serene.Contemplative.A place for quiet introspection. Teach the illiterate. 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. Mepkin is fairly unique in the Trappist world for how deeply it invites guests into its life. What young people keep telling us, said Father Joe Tedesco, the chair of the committee for Mepkins future development, is that theyre interested in the spiritual life journey, but not in institutional religion. They looked, to our untutored eyes, like Jedi. Before air conditioning that meant you had to angle your house on the land so as to catch the best breezes. They were relearning prayer, as I had done years before. The history of Mepkin Abbey is amazing and started long before the Monks were there. In what has become a Christmas tradition, the monks of Mepkin Abbey, even before . Jesuit Father Hans Zollner will be a consultant for the Diocese of Romes office dedicated to safeguarding minors and vulnerable people. Please visit ourmembership pageto learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation. Eventually the monks settled on growing mushrooms. Do you want a wedding photo shoot at the Mepkin Abbey? more. The picturesque surroundings can't be bought or planned any better and with a river backdroppriceless! For a Year. So says the advertisement for Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina. Absolutely, an incredible experience. if you are trying to comment, you must log in or set up a new account. You might think theyre wrong when they actually couldnt be more right. The monks at Mepkin Abbey taught me how to pray again. Because of the monastic nature of the property, up to 50 guests are permitted, and only wedding ceremonies may take place on the property; receptions are not allowed. Todonate online, click here, or you may send a check to Mepkin Abbey, 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Not without good reason then, his voice is ours, and our voice is also his. In 1762 one of his descendants sold the land to Henry Laurens of Charleston. Look, he said, I cant get Catholic priests to come to this place. It is a place you have to experience . This is a private home/community for monks with limited public areas to stroll about in. ?--unless i missed it. I spent each day in silence, speaking only when necessary and not at all during the Grand Silence from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Perhaps he should have addressed that. Mepkin Abbey is open , Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun. The abbey is struggling to attract and retain younger novices. One of the monks had suggested that I was not cleaning the mushroom logs properly, and because I am perfect in every waynot to mentionstubbornI gave him the cold shoulder. And maybe, by some creativity, looking to the future, they can help to hold on to, and spread, this tradition.. There is a gift shop on the premises where you can buy products made by the monks, as well as regional specialties.Although the Abbey is well off the beaten path, it is definitely worth the time, especially if you appreciate pristine beauty and relative solitude. The salty air was blowing through the huge oak trees as they exchanged their vows and held back *happy* tears. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Mepkin Abbey - Luce Gardens 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd Moncks Corner, SC 29461 What day is the wedding? They have a terrific gift shop. A building commitment rooted in the local ground became a commitment to welcome the guest with particular vulnerability and openness. Throughout my tenure at the abbey, it always felt as though there was somewhere that I was supposed to be, and something that I should be doing there. We wanted a good product, a healthy product, Father Stan explained. In the Benedictine tradition, guests are to be received as Christ. Well worth the trip! I will be going back many times, always something new to see and many plants in bloom. At the 11:30 you get to view the monks pre-dinner prayer service. And maybe in spite of yourself, youll start to become more like Jesus. I have been making five-day retreats at Trappist and Benedictine monasteries for the past 20 years and have found the experience of living in silence and detaching from work and family life restorative and re-energizing. 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. If you want to know how the monks manage to live peaceably in community, day after day after day, there is your answer. Monks seem against all those things. We laughed while we worked, in an altogether more talkative way than I thought monks would be given to. And we expect to be here for another thousand years, he said. The monastery now produces around 1,400 pounds of mushrooms each week half oyster mushrooms, half shiitake. I am middle-aged, happily married and the father of six children. 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. Its the way St. Benedict prescribed things in the fifth century. Add a bit of spirituality to your getaway at Mepkin Abbey. I was very honest with them., And they were just so, he said, breaking into tears. So I asked Father Columba, formerly a parish priest in Dublin, whether I could discuss an unspecified pastoral issue with him. Evangelize. 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. Dont want to? Mepkins monks, led by the abbot, Father Stan Gumula, process from the church to the refectory. Does this man's wife have a similar opportunity to take a month off? Thankfully, the monastic guest program at Mepkin is open to all: those discerning a vocation or not, Catholic or not, men or not. Be aMonk. 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. [CDATA[// >