mepkin abbey wedding

In recent months, the abbey, in response to its aging population and its lack of young novices, formed a committee for its future development and drew up a set of programs aimed at attracting a younger and more spiritually diverse group of people. What a lovely visit we had to this beautiful place. 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road And Mepkin Abbey is the epitome of Charleston. Learn More. Our wedding is on Friday, May 4, 2018 - Star Wars Day! The moss draped trees add a mystical feel to the experience and you leave feeling tranquil and spiritually at peace. During nice weather, you may see it being used for outdoor weddings or as a backdrop for professional photographers. We clomped in and sat down. Check out some of the. While members of other Catholic orders Dominicans and Jesuits, for example focus partly on outreach, Trappists, who are formally known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, do not. And while were in the confessional, I should fess up, as I did to Father Guerric, that I had dozed off a couple of times during the centering prayer session that he hosts at 5 a.m. each day. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. 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. At the time I was just taking headshots, family photos, and nature photos. So I asked Father Columba, formerly a parish priest in Dublin, whether I could discuss an unspecified pastoral issue with him. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Make sure you visit the website for prayer service times, it's a wonderful time with the Lord. I was able to muddle through this dry spell, as I assume that all monks must do for various stretches of time, and the latter part of my stay at the monastery was replete with blessings. We rounded a corner into the reserve sacrament chapel, and there the monks were. line-height:20px; Mepkin sits above the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, so its pre-AC builders did what sandlappers do and set the buildings at an angle. Wooden carved sculptures, natural waterways, old architecture, graveyards, flowers everywhere. line-height:20px; Methodists go home knowing how to be Methodists again. And, of course, things in my life need to change. The church is beautiful and the organ is one of a kind. Mepkin Abbey is a Christian (Trappist) monastery in South Carolina that runs an egg factory farm to make money. Simple gorgeous grounds and a beautiful day. I am middle-aged, happily married and the father of six children. I worked for four or five hours a day in the abbeys mushroom-growing operation. 27 reviews of Mepkin Abbey "This is seriously one of the best kept secrets in the Greater Charleston Area. Joe Tedesco, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-0010-scaled.jpg, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/logo.png. U.S. society has shorn food production of its spiritual dimension. Brother Joseph Swedo, 90, a monk at Mepkin Abbey. I would like to do one of these (when the kids are grown). " 03/22/2021 " Lunch in a small town " 12/23/2019 Cuisines: American Howard's Restaurant #2 of 45 Restaurants in Moncks Corner Some tips for making the most of your twilight years. Do you want a wedding photo shoot at the Mepkin Abbey? Despite their hope for the future, the monks at Mepkin are cleareyed about the likelihood that their new initiatives which will probably attract young, interfaith and short-term visitors will fail to attract Roman Catholics who are interested in a long-term commitment with the core monastic community. Left, the church at Mepkin Abbey, and Father Stan Gumula, the abbot of Mepkin. Methodists are people who believe in individual conversion, study of the scriptures, evangelism. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. [5] They eventually decided on a mushroom production operation.[6]. Benedict instructed that a novice's street clothes should be kept. All are welcome. And its not backbreaking work, because were an older community., (In the 1950s, when their numbers were higher and the average age was much lower, the monks working life was more varied and physically intense; they ran a lumber mill, raised cattle and had a large-scale bakery.). Their digital presence is also extremely limited. For more information: mwfitzpatrick65@gmail.com, Mepkin Abbey Check out some of our wedding photos from this place. We arrived on the first evening later than expected. Each passing nod by a fellow resident, a further embrace into the community. A Reflection for Saturday of the First Week of Lent, by Christopher Parker. But one day, I finally changed my mind. 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. One thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek, to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Inspiring but also challenging words if we really take them in. 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. In keeping with broader declines in the ranks of priests, nuns and brothers, Mepkins monastic community is dwindling. All the buildings have been built around the trees.. Mepkin Abbey: Intimate wedding - See 138 traveler reviews, 104 candid photos, and great deals for Moncks Corner, SC, at Tripadvisor. Thank you so much! What a spectacular site for a wedding. And if that means closing Mepkin, that means closing Mepkin., I believe theres going to be a turnaround, he added. } Still, Mepkins future is anything but certain. Not without good reason then, his voice is ours, and our voice is also his. The grounds are gorgeous, the monks are welcoming and the liturgies are simple but reverent. The truth is, I was becoming restless during my monastic stints. 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. We enjoyed seeing the monks doing their daily gardening and landscaping of the site. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. ! Our people were hungry to pray like monks. Are You A Liturgist With A Passion to Form Young Adults? And I give her all the credit for getting me into weddings as well! Mushrooms and garden compost from the Abbey's farm, and candies, preserves and creamed honey from other Trappist Abbeys are available at the Reception Center Gift Shop. They were just so loving., It took a lot of strength to leave, Mr. Hagan said, noting that his fellow monks at Mepkin would have welcomed him to stay if hed so chosen in spite of the Catholic churchs official, if conflicted, position on homosexuality in the clergy. In short, they retaught me how to be Christian. But my Methodist friend Scott could hardly contain his smile. fax: 843-761-6719, Niches in Mepkins Columbarium are available to the public. You can opt in to any additional cookies. All Benedictinesthe larger umbrella under which Trappists existpledge to receive every guest as Christ. He is no longer strong enough, he said, to regularly attend the first or last of Mepkins seven daily prayer services vigils at 3:20 a.m., and compline at 7:35 p.m. (It featured copy that read: BE A MONK. Whats a monk? We had unhurried time to talk. Thank you! 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. Were all getting old., Read: Silent, Yes, but Never Withdrawn: Readers Respond to this Dwindling Catholic Monastery. So they have to shuffle a little to free their hands to turn the pages in their psalm books. They looked, to our untutored eyes, like Jedi. This is one of the most beautiful places you could ever dream of having and outdoor wedding at. They also have so many areas that you are free to roam on your own. Across all orders, the number of Catholic brothers in the United States has declined by more than two-thirds since 1965, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. I wondered whether I had missed my calling. He asked his first question: What are they doing with their hands? As a monk at Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina, he maintains that Roman Catholic orders code of prayer, work, seclusion, poverty and chastity. 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. Simple gorgeous grounds and a beautiful day. The alligators were swimming in the pond and even popped out before the ceremony to say hello! You get up ungodly early, sure. One of them being a monument to The Charleston Nine, the brave 9 fireman that died trying to put out a fire. So far, Mepkin has shunned all forms of social media both individually and institutionally. In everything we do here, we try to respect the land, the ecology and the environment, Father Stan said. During my first couple of weeks at the monastery, I felt immense gratitude nearly every day and nearly every hour of every day. While the monks do not participate in any way in the ceremony, they are pleased to make the gardens available for weddings. During my month at Mepkin, there were two fractious incidents between monastic inhabitants. FOR A MONTH. The Abbey gift shop offers homemade jams, jellies and preserves produced by other Trappist monasteries and the mushrooms grown by the Mepkin Abbey monks. My niece and I went to Mepkin Abbey to take photographs. If you're in the Charleston area in November or December you must visit this unique display. Just what I wanted: more opportunities to be a monk. 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 flowers were in bloom so there were all kinds of beautiful colors and smells in the air. Brother Joseph Swedo was bent forward in his chair, his rugged hands folded delicately in his lap. While Trappists are an order in the Roman Catholic Church, everyone is welcome to visit and make Retreats here. Be aMonk. Anyone can read what you share. Encourage prisoners. Grant is a graduate of Gonzaga College High School and the University of Virginia and its law school. Whats that about? The thought of being a wedding photographer had crossed my mind, but I was too scared. Their wedding was absolutely perfect in every way. But theyre interested in prayer, and theyre interested in finding ways to connect with their center., The Trappists, he added, have been around for a thousand years. I learned about my parishioners upbringings, their siblings, their parents, their children, their loves I wouldnt have known anything about without that time together. Theres tons of young people who are interested in spirituality, Father Joe said. I had already heard what I needed to hear. And you go to bed weirdly early to compensate. I have, in the same position, a photo of Mepkin Abbey. (Theyve since changed to a shiitake and oyster mushroom operation.) If you need some time alone to think and mediate, this is your spot. There were 57 manger scenes on display. You might think theyre wrong when they actually couldnt be more right. I led them all into the church, a dozen of us being as quiet as we could but still making a racket. This is a fabulous place to Nonetheless, Mass at the abbey packs an emotional wallop. And once there, no one had trouble getting up at 3 a.m. for the first daily office. Your email address will not be published. Years later one of those monks, Brother Stan, became the monasterys abbot. Parenting six children is a monumental task. Beauty will save the world, Dostoevsky said, and I see this in these monks. At the edge of the gardens is a stunning view of the Cooper River that you can enjoy after spending some contemplative time meditating in the labyrinth. 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. For decades, the monastery relied on an egg farm that produced as many as 30,000 eggs per day. With a few limitations, the Abbey and the Mepkin Gardens are open to the public on a daily basis. As with most human beings, the monks strength is close kin to their weakness, their superpower not far from their Achilles heel. We checked out the gardens which was very nice, especially the oak trees that hang over the Cooper River. in 4 reviews, There is also a gift shop where you can buy crafts from other Moncks and they also grow and sell mushrooms. in 6 reviews, If you are planning to attend the crche display in November make you reservation via the web in October it fills up fast. in 2 reviews. After a few generations, the Laurens family sold the property, and it passed through several hands. The weather was perfect but this is such an enchanting place. This practice worked just fine for me, until it didnt. But theres no TV. A wedding photographer based in Charleston, SC specializing in dreamy and true to life imagery for couples planning their dream wedding. I wondered whether I had missed my calling. 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. The, crche exhibit is incredible and extensive - be sure to vote for your favorite. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}337N 7957W / 33.117N 79.950W / 33.117; -79.950 A day after the animal rights organization PETA called for a boycott of Mepkin Abbey eggs, and nearly a year after the group first complained to the abbey about egg production there, Abbot. Father Columba readily agreed, but before we got together, he delivered an amazing homily on Mt 18:21-22, in which his theme was that forgiveness is a miracle. Father Columba and I still had our talk, but forgiveness was not one of the topics that we discussed. There is no admission to enter the gardens and walk around, but if you want a more extensive behind-the-scenes tour of the chapel and other areas, there is a suggested contribution fee.You will rarely see any of the monks, as they stay well-hidden, but you can get a glimpse of the type of lifestyle they lead. Father Gerard-Jonas Palmares inside one of the locations where mushrooms are grown at Mepkin Abbey. The guides are fantastic they know the history of the abbey quite well. There was no room for a wall, and if there were, itd have just blocked the breeze. They have a terrific gift shop. Evangelize. Were a very nonjudgmental and nonexclusive community, he said. Their robes have long sleeves, and those sleeves make it hard to find ones hands. [2] New York architect Edward Durell Stone travelled to Mepkin in 1936 to design a new house for the Luces. I was blessed to meet Jessica at just the perfect time. We laughed while we worked, in an altogether more talkative way than I thought monks would be given to. We ask readers to log in so that we can recognize you as a registered user and give you unrestricted access to our website. Those blessings included daily Mass, which at Mepkin Abbey begins at 6:30 a.m. more. So why didnt I want to introduce my Methodist congregants to them? The abbey hosts about 1,500 people a year who want to experience the contemplative life. Mepkin retreatants are welcome to observe the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks, joining in worship and prayer at all seven daily services in the Abbey Church, beginning with Lauds at 3:20. 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 coffee, tea, hot chocolate and fresh from the oven cookies that are available during the Creche festival is a wonderful touch. We are. One night when the Boone Methodists were there, the monks held an anointing service for their ailing members. Mepkin Abbey is open , Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun. 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461-4796 Save Jbendler Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 76 31 Beautiful Wedding Venue Review of Mepkin Abbey Reviewed April 27, 2014 What a spectacular site for a wedding. Why are we unique? A Reflection for Friday of the First Week of Lent, by Jill Rice. It's very beautiful all times of the year and I plan to go as often as I can. Shes so cute! In addition to the vast garden you can view on your own, the have guided tours of the monastery at 11:30 and 3:00 most days. Ill never not give thanks for them. Good point. Check out some of my other favorite weddings on the blog: Jessica and Shauns Seabrook Island Wedding, Ashleigh and Devans Isle of Palms Wedding. 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. What should I wear? Trappist monastery in Berkeley County, South Carolina, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Mepkin article on their new mushroom production replacing the egg production, St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Aiken, St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Charleston, Cathedral of Saint John and Saint Finbar, Charleston, Cardinal Newman High School, Forest Acres, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mepkin_Abbey&oldid=1085714570, Trappist monasteries in the United States, Buildings and structures in Berkeley County, South Carolina, Tourist attractions in Berkeley County, South Carolina, Roman Catholic churches in South Carolina, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 May 2022, at 01:43. But maybe a smaller number will. I am not prone to strong sentiment, and yet I nearly broke into tears during several Masses during my month at Mepkin. This is one pretty place. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. .av_font_icon.av-js7ruq5v-ba8a02887e7fff03068ed916a24ed508 .av-icon-char{ Download my free guide for planning advice! [1] The plantation, which was created from several smaller plantations, contained over 7200 acres when Luce bought the property for a reported $150,000. I felt privileged to reside in such a beautiful place, to live in silence and to brush against the gentle disposition, intelligence and wisdom of the monks. Bobbys reaction after Jessica teased him about not being surprised! Jessica pushed me and saw potential in me that I didnt see myself. Mepkin is fairly unique in the Trappist world for how deeply it invites guests into its life. Every one of them. I wore an unflattering, hoodie-like habit. Or they wouldnt like it and theyd judge me for being too Catholic. Fred Bahnson and Ragan Sutterfield explore this issue from different directions. But Trappist communities may be particularly vulnerable, since their traditions are more isolating and, in many ways, more resistant to modernization. Thankfully, the monastic guest program at Mepkin is open to all. This is a must see, bring your camera and walking shoes. They turn out the lights, light candles by a statue of Mary, and chant together the Salve Regina, an ancient prayer invoking Marys help. The main architecture is the trees. The gardens are well maintained, the docents (tour guides) have so much information to share with you. I'm Jessica and I'm so happy you're here. The author cleans a mushroom log at Mepkin Abbey (Photo provided by Stephen Grant) Those blessings included daily Mass, which at Mepkin Abbey begins at 6:30 a.m. The abbey is struggling to attract and retain younger novices. In seminary, friends told me about Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina Low Country, near the coast. If youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you! But what Jaylynn heard is that she couldnt sit with me. We took a tour of Mepkin Abbey and it cost $5 per person. If they come, they sure dont bring laypeople, and they sure as hell dont get up at three oclock in the morning. 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. .av_font_icon.av-js7ruq5v-543682e18588060c4cfa95ae87281cf8 .av-icon-char{ They only have one child left at home.I greatly enjoyed this article, I have been to Mepkin several times and had a wonderful experience each time. 2680 Lohr Dr, Mt Pleasant, SC 843-819-9705; dennis@charlestonphotoart.com; I am also serving Hilton head, Columbia, Savannah, Myrtle beach; PORTFOLIO. Bono) would put it, I still hadnt found what I was looking for. Mepkin Abbey is located at 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd., Moncks Corner, SC 29461. And maybe, by some creativity, looking to the future, they can help to hold on to, and spread, this tradition.. They were, in a way. The miracle of forgiveness also showed up unexpectedly at the monastery. 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. Mepkin Abbey is part of the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. Stephen, his wife Dina and the youngest of their six children live in Bronxville, N.Y. Stephen and Dina have made pilgrimages with America Media to Ignatian Spain and the Holy Land. Guided tours ($5 per person) are offered at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, except on any Friday designated a Desert Day . 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. ELOPEMENT; WEDDING; Engagement; SECRET PROPOSAL; A version of this article appears in the print edition under the title Revival at the monastery.,