With a few limitations, the Abbey and the Mepkin Gardens are open to the public on a daily basis. This is such a serene locale, I don't see how anyone could not be touched by the experience.. 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. Oh clement, oh loving, oh most sweet Virgin Mary. They sing it with such tenderness it nearly overwhelms my Protestant objections. Needless to say, bring along a camera. And Mepkin Abbey is the epitome of Charleston. 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. 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.). A Reflection for Saturday of the First Week of Lent, by Christopher Parker. 27 reviews of Mepkin Abbey "This is seriously one of the best kept secrets in the Greater Charleston Area. Every sunrise and sunset, a sign of Gods presence. 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. .av_font_icon.av-js7ruq5v-543682e18588060c4cfa95ae87281cf8 .av-icon-char{ That sense of acceptance was affirmed by Rob Hagan, who spent 30 years as a monk at Mepkin before leaving the monastery in 2007. 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. I sometimes now speak of Reformed Christianity as an experiment in being Christian without anyone anywhere vowing poverty, chastity, and obedience. Even weekend retreats (2 and 1/2 days) with 3 kids and the wife at home invoke guilt. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Having a month off from parental responsibilities is a great luxury which I hope is afforded equally to both partners. Mepkin sits above the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, so its pre-AC builders did what sandlappers do and set the buildings at an angle. The sign asks you to sit in the back, but the request is only there, it seems, to be flaunted. As the other reviewers have stated, the word that best sums up this experience is, Peaceful.Quiet.Serene.Contemplative.A place for quiet introspection. What a peaceful place. Do it anyway. Father Guerric granted that indulgence during one of our conferences, at which I was reminded that if you meet with a Mepkin monk to discuss what is going on in your life, spiritual or otherwise, you will leave the meeting with a book. One of them being a monument to The Charleston Nine, the brave 9 fireman that died trying to put out a fire. Yet they also vow poverty, chastity, obedience, and devotion to prayer. We put our hands on their old, bald heads and prayed Gods blessings of life and health and peace, on these brothers who are also our brothers. Have been visiting the Abbey for many years, primarily to view the annual crche display. Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist monastery in Berkeley County, South Carolina. 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. Ask who sinned this week. We are. Mepkins interest in cultivating what they call interspiritual experiences via the longstanding programs at their retreat center and with its proposed affiliate program is evidence, Father Stan said, of the abbeys welcoming and accepting nature. The main thing I learned from taking Methodists to Mepkin was about prayer. One of my lay leaders at the time has the impossible name of Johnny Carson. In fact, the monks were part of our early romance. And maybe, by some creativity, looking to the future, they can help to hold on to, and spread, this tradition.. Thank you! He asked his first question: What are they doing with their hands? 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road Monks seem against all those things. I am middle-aged, happily married and the father of six children. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Dolor mixtape food truck Austin, assumenda Odd Future Carles ani Echo Park cillum. I invited a few lay leaders and a few college students from the Methodist campus ministry, and away we went. 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. You can also manage your account details and your print subscription after logging in. I learned about my parishioners upbringings, their siblings, their parents, their children, their loves I wouldnt have known anything about without that time together. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Meet Paul Haring, the CNS photographer who covered the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Francis, numerous international papal trips and the daily action of Vatican life for over a decade. 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. read more, I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! Because tents have been known to damage the gardens, only chairs (which are available for rental) are allowed. I learned that this failing is pardonable because, as Father Guerric told me, I did not snore and it happens.. Flickr/Davey Borden. Look, he said, I cant get Catholic priests to come to this place. In seminary, friends told me about Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina Low Country, near the coast. Download my free guide for planning advice! And yet, as the renowned contemplative Paul Hewson (a.k.a. And we expect to be here for another thousand years, he said. 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. But it also allows them to inculcate their charism with particular intensity. But during my third week at Mepkin, I hit the monastic wall. Right now, its a bleak situation, he said. We can't do it without youAmerica Media relies on generous support from our readers. But one day, I finally changed my mind. And I doubt you need to tell him that parenting six children is a monumental task. The problem was that I never had the time to read them. 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. Bono) would put it, I still hadnt found what I was looking for. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. [3] Mepkin Abbey defended itself by citing their compliance with the animal welfare standards of the United Egg Producers. Mepkin Abbey: Weddings to Final Resting place - See 138 traveler reviews, 104 candid photos, and great deals for Moncks Corner, SC, at Tripadvisor. These cookies help us improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it. Individual abbeys juggle these occasionally competing commitments in different ways. They also have so many areas that you are free to roam on your own. 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. Anyone can read what you share. If not, fine, but if so, heres the way to do it: Meet in small groups. I felt incredibly sheepish when the monk on the other side of this contretemps sought me out to apologize within a half-hour. [1] The plantation, which was created from several smaller plantations, contained over 7200 acres when Luce bought the property for a reported $150,000. The Holy Spirit was brooding in our midst, bringing healing and life where, on our own, there would be only sorrow. I only had about an hour to spend here, but I cant wait to go back! The early returns, 500 years on, are not positive. Lately, though, Brother Josephs health has taken a turn for the worse, narrowing the scope of his monastic life. And maybe in spite of yourself, youll start to become more like Jesus. And although they were quick to adopt a website, the monks have limited internet access and, with few exceptions, dont use cellphones. Thank you! A Reflection for Friday of the First Week of Lent, by Jill Rice. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. Such a unique place to visit.We visited here to tour the abbey and attend the mod day prayer service. The alligators were swimming in the pond and even popped out before the ceremony to say hello! The Cooper River runs alongside Mepkin Abbeys 3,132-acre property. Nothing says Charleston, South Carolina like the glowing oaks dripping with Spanish moss, salty air, alligators swimming in the ponds, and the Azaleas blooming everywhere you look. The monastery grounds include a graveyard containing the ashes of Henry Laurens, as well as the graves of John Laurens, Clare Boothe Luce, and Henry Luce. For more family-friendly things to do around the Lowcountry, . Since youre a frequent reader of our website, we want to be able to share even more great, As a frequent reader of our website, you know how important, A Catholic guide to your mid-life calling. As a monk at Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery in South Carolina, he maintains that Roman Catholic order's code of prayer, work, seclusion, poverty and chastity. Add a bit of spirituality to your getaway at Mepkin Abbey. 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. Sometimes prayer takes us where we don't intend to go. Years later one of those monks, Brother Stan, became the monasterys abbot. Grant is a graduate of Gonzaga College High School and the University of Virginia and its law school. I didnt know what he meant. If you're in the Charleston area in November or December you must visit this unique display. Only 13 monks remain, down from a peak of 55 in the mid-1950s. Mepkin is fairly unique in the Trappist world for how deeply it invites guests into its life. The only drawback was the occasional boater to disturb the tranquility Brother Joseph Swedo was bent forward in his chair, his rugged hands folded delicately in his lap. We cannot find a time, until the Reformation, when there was Christianity without monks and nuns. In keeping with broader declines in the ranks of priests, nuns and brothers, Mepkins monastic community is dwindling. 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. All Benedictinesthe larger umbrella under which Trappists existpledge to receive every guest as Christ. map & directions Simple gorgeous grounds and a beautiful day. 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. 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. Well worth the trip! Mepkins openness is in some ways related to its topography. If you want to know how the monks manage to live peaceably in community, day after day after day, there is your answer. Beautiful and Peaceful Gardens on the Banks of the Cooper River. Couldnt this go badly? Morning wedding at the Abbey gardens on the 4th of July. Learn More. The truth is, I was becoming restless during my monastic stints. I reported to the retreat house, a gleaming glass and steel half-cloister that is the most recent addition to the abbeys modern buildings. But enough of my talking, see for yourself how beautiful it was! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. What is the reserve sacrament? Why am I being asked to create an account? line-height:20px; Our wedding is on Friday, May 4, 2018 - Star Wars Day! And the abbey, they say, is a repository of wisdom about the benefits of contemplative living. ! Our people were hungry to pray like monks. Mepkin Abbey Now Available for Weddings in Featured, News Mepkin's friends and neighbors can now reserve the abbey gardens for the celebration of a marriage. You might think theyre wrong when they actually couldnt be more right. There were 57 manger scenes on display. This intimate Spring wedding at Mepkin Abbey was EVERYTHING. I will be going back many times, always something new to see and many plants in bloom. But in 2007, in the aftermath of an immensely disruptive PETA investigation, the abbey announced plans to phase out its egg operation. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. I explained that we couldnt sit together at meals. This practice worked just fine for me, until it didnt. Under the umbrella of the Diocese of Charleston, Mepkin Abbey is a beautiful and quiet enchanting spot in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. fax: 843-761-6719, Niches in Mepkins Columbarium are available to the public. Hospitality is central to the monks lives, and the beauty of the grounds at Mepkin is a major draw both for day visitors and for people who stay overnight at the abbeys retreat center which is often fully booked months in advance. Just what I wanted: more opportunities to be a monk. I would like to do one of these (when the kids are grown). 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 abbeys new affiliate program will offer two new short-term monastic options for people of any, or no, faith traditions: a monthlong monastic institute, open to men and women, and a yearlong residency. You can either click on the link in your confirmation email or simply re-enter your email address below to confirm it. 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. You will find it there. You thought we were going rogue. This intimate Spring wedding at Mepkin Abbey was EVERYTHING. Perhaps ironically, when you devote eight hours a day to prayer, it seems you have all the time in the world. Joe Tedesco, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG-0010-scaled.jpg, https://mepkinabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/logo.png. Naturally, I was involved in one of them. Nor can he fully participate during the roughly five hours set aside each day for agricultural work and the upkeep of the monasterys grounds. At some point a lot of Methodists went from being despised for their seriousness about the gospel to being just another tall steeple country club. These cookies are essential to our website working properly. Stay a while and say hello! A glimpse into monastic life at Mepkin Abbey with Fr. So why was I hesitant to bring others there? The Mepkin Abbey grounds are one of the most gorgeous, tranquil, and peaceful places in all of Charleston. 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Thank you so much! //-->. Trappist monks at prayer (photo courtesy of the Abbey of Gethsemani). The abbey grounds are huge and very well kept. Left, the church at Mepkin Abbey, and Father Stan Gumula, the abbot of Mepkin. 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. [2] When the Luces bought the plantation, Laurnes' house was already gone; the then-current house had been built in 1906. MONCKS CORNER, S.C. A year and a half ago, I could do anything run the chain saw, cut up trees, use a backhoe.. Fun fact: Jessica asked me to photograph her wedding before I even thought about being a wedding photographer. 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. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith) Mepkin Abbey was definitely showing off for us! In this Oct. 30, 2013, Abbot Stan Gumula discusses recent additions at Mepkin Abbey during an interview at the abbey in Moncks Corner, S.C. } FOR A YEAR.), Were at such a you might say desperate point, said Father Guerric Heckel, that were being forced to try something new and innovative.. Yes, I got Bobby to show a real, genuine smile! I should have trusted my people to sort out what they stood to learn, what they should leave behind, and where Jesus was at work. The only drawback was the occasional boater to disturb the tranquility. 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.. Theres no work for guests to do, other than volunteering to shovel if you want. Its gardens are now known as the Mepkin Abbey Botanical Garden. The abbey is located near Moncks Corner, at the junction of the two forks of the Cooper River northwest of Charleston, and is located in the Diocese of Charleston. Mepkin Abbey is a Christian (Trappist) monastery in South Carolina that runs an egg factory farm to make money. 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. So why didnt I want to introduce my Methodist congregants to them? Serene and Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. I was blessed to meet Jessica at just the perfect time. Verify to immediately update business information, respond to reviews, and more! Benedict instructed that a novice's street clothes should be kept. U.S. society has shorn food production of its spiritual dimension. Our church in Boone, North Carolina, was rarely open when he wasnt there, ministering and serving and encouraging. Thankfully, the monastic guest program at Mepkin is open to all. I dont want to spend my remaining years simply hanging on, Father Stan said. So many different interpretations of this important scriptural event. After a few generations, the Laurens family sold the property, and it passed through several hands. The grounds are gorgeous, the monks are welcoming and the liturgies are simple but reverent. The weather was perfect but this is such an enchanting place. Mepkin, by contrast, invites guests all the way up into their stalls for prayer. ELOPEMENT; WEDDING; Engagement; SECRET PROPOSAL; font-size:20px; 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. Got a question about Mepkin Abbey? What are you feeding these Methodists? The monks were giving us back our Methodism. Interview: Whats it like to photograph Pope Francis? Why are we unique? Id rather be in a community that has a vital energy and a good community life. This is one of the most beautiful places you could ever dream of having and outdoor wedding at. Mepkin is one of only 15 Cistercian Trappist monasteries in North America and the only one in South Carolina. Each passing nod by a fellow resident, a further embrace into the community. We dont have a big financial reserve, said Father Stan Gumula, Mepkins abbot, adding that an endowment, which the monastery does not have, goes against what Trappists are for. Even the profit margins on the monks agricultural business which helps sustain the monastery and, by their accounts, is quite profitable is limited by their daily prayer schedule, which severely restricts the number of hours available each day for work. [2] His wife, Clare Boothe Luce, commissioned and built an extensive landscape garden there known as the Mepkin Garden. The community sees itself as a steward of the monasterys grounds, and as a leader in the local environmental movement. Check out some of my other favorite weddings on the blog: Jessica and Shauns Seabrook Island Wedding, Ashleigh and Devans Isle of Palms Wedding. (Several Trappist monasteries in Africa and Asia, for example, havent been plagued by the same decline in vocations and some, at least partly because of the stability of monastic life and the unfamiliarity of the message, Father Stan said, are brimming with young monks.) The flowers were in bloom so there were all kinds of beautiful colors and smells in the air. 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. A Bible at the conclusion of vigils, the first of seven daily prayer services at Mepkin Abbey. The weather couldnt have been any more perfect. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Copyright 2023 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Photographs from Mepkin during the early 1950s capture a wide variety of work. And I can never thank her enough for that. Once several of the Boone Methodists processed out of their choir stalls and into the procession of monks for the liturgy. And once there, no one had trouble getting up at 3 a.m. for the first daily office. This is a must see, bring your camera and walking shoes. It's very beautiful all times of the year and I plan to go as often as I can. Work is another central pillar of life for the Trappists at Mepkin as a means of supporting the community, providing solidarity with workers, and promoting a healthy mind and body. White robes, long sleeves, beards, and bald heads. Mepkin Abbey is part of the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. Grab your camera and make your way through the centuries old Oak lined drive to Mepkin Abbey. We laughed while we worked, in an altogether more talkative way than I thought monks would be given to. [CDATA[// >