Introduction to the Monastic Guest Program
The Monastic Guest Program was born of a desire for men to live the monastic life for a longer period than the usual retreat. It’s best summed up in the slogan, “Be a monk for a month.” Participants live with the monks for a calendar month, usually beginning the first Monday or Friday of that month. They share our life of prayer, work, and studying.
The program gives those who come an opportunity to develop their own spirituality by attending chapter meetings with the Superior and studying with me The Rule of St. Benedict, Christian meditation, and Cistercian life. The participants also study Lectio Divina with Father Guerric. Men of any age or any religious affiliation (or none) are welcome in the program.
You can get a good sense of the program by reading an article written by one of our previous Monastic Guests Stephen Grant https://mepkinabbey.org/monastic-guest-stephen-b-grant/.
If you’re interested, contact me at monasticguest1@gmail.com.
Father Columba
Monastic Guests are provided a room with private bath within the monastic community itself, and must participate in all the activities and obligations of the monks — from Vigils at 3:20 AM to Compline at 7:30 PM. They are assigned work just as the monks are.
Advance reservations with the Monastic Guest Master are required, along with a certificate of medical insurance and some form of recommendation from a pastor, employer, or colleague. There is no fee required since work compensates for the cost of room and board. Usually the number of Monastic Guests is limited to two at any one time.