Combing the historical significance of the Christmas Nativity with the diversity of cultures and artists that have interpreted it through the ages, "Finding Bethlehem" guides you thoughtful commentaries of theologians and collectors alike, to artist statements and the voices of "behind-thes-scenes" participants in the Festival, the book explores the spiritual and artistic meaning of the Nativity.
Dedication of the Columbarium
In the early evening of Sunday, June 17, the monks, with friends and benefactors, dedicated the Columbarium at Mepkin Abbey. Almost 200 people attended the event, including many who have purchased niches.
Fr. Guerric Heckel presided at the dedication ceremony which included music by a brass ensemble, and remarks by Susan Conant, lead designer for the project; Thomas Campbell whose wife is inurned in the Columbarium; and Abbot Stan. The ceremony concluded with the brass ensemble leading the congregation down the Columbarium path while playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
After the dedication, Jim Rozier, Columbarium manager, said that almost all of the niches in Phase 1 have been sold and plans are being made to begin the second phase.
Read More »Welcome remarks at Blessing of the Site of the Retreat Center
St. Francis Retreat Center
Remarks and blessing by Abbot Stanislaus Gumula
Today is a day so longed for. It means that a dream that was conceived many years ago is finally about to see the light of day. Many were the conversations that Father Francis Kline, Mepkin’s third abbot, and I had about this dream.
He once told me over the phone as he lay in his bed at Sloan Kettering that he had come up with the design of the rooms he would like to see at the new Retreat Center. On another occasion we agreed on the architect we would ask to put this dream on paper.
And just over a month before his death in August, 2006, we were talking about it and he said he just didn’t have the energy to do the fund raising that would be required for such an undertaking. Looking him straight in the eye, I told him: “Don’t take this wrongly, Francis, but your death will bring us the funds for this project.” And looking me back straight in the eye, he responded, “I know. But as long as I am alive, I have to worry about this.”
He need not worry any longer. The outpouring from his friends assures us that this project will indeed be finished. We are here today to begin the final phase.
Read More »Creche Festival Opens at SC Trappist Monastery
The Christmas season is getting under way at Mepkin Abbey near Moncks Corner.
The Trappist monks at the abbey open their 9th annual Creche Festival on Monday.
Read More »Crèche Festival Opens at Monastery Near SC Coast
The Christmas season is getting under way at Mepkin Abbey near Moncks Corner.
Read More »Fire Fighters Memorial in the News
Memorial constructed at Mepkin Abbey
Following the tragic deaths of 9 brave Fire Fighters, Mepkin has established a memorial to commemorate those nine men. The memorial lies in the midst of nine trees which encircle the monuments. Each monument contains a plaque with the name of each fire fighter.
Read More »Success with Shiitake Mushrooms
These are the first batches coming into their fruiting.
The Mepkin community has added Shiitake mushrooms to their Oyster mushroom production. They look for the Shiitakes to become a valuable addition to their monastic industry due to the market value for this delicacy in the Charleston area.
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