Father

This is my first time getting involved in something Catholic. That's more of an accident than an intention. Its certainly been an interesting insight in to a different culture and traditions.

This monastery is part of the Cistercian order, formed around 1080 in Burgundy. It was a reform movement in response to a need to update the Benedictine charism. That is, things were getting a bit out of whack. Benedict of Nursia first wrote his rule around the 5th century so 500 years had allowed a few things to go AWOL. Another reform (aka more out-of-whackness) happened in the 17th century which started with the Monastery of La Trapp. Hence the term Trappist monk. Southern Star Abbey was founded by Trappist monks sent from Ireland in the 1950s (though at this monastery they prefer the name Cistercian for theological reasons). There's a whole lot of interesting things I've learnt about all this, different orders and reforms and the like, but thats for another time.

I asked to have a chat with one of the monks. Might as well get some direction from people that have been in the business for a long time! I was told by one of the companions (lay people living in the community) that someone would come and chat with me soon... They didn't say where or when. So I stayed and read in the guest house living room.

He came, in his sweet as, white robes, not long later. We chatted. When he told me he'd been a child in the war, I was surprised. His face and presence didn't match how old he'd have to be!

One of the key things I took away from our discussion was, (I guess I shouldn't have been surprised) he struggles with challenges too. Imagine living on a peaceful farm for 50 years, with people that become like family, you have a super consistent rhythm of prayer and meditation, no mortgage, no partner and kids, no office job, shared meals, not a lot to worry about surely...?
And yet, life still has its troubles. Temptation. Trauma. Trial. A childhood war experience casts a long shadow. Community interactions can be challenging. The challenge of wanting to do our own thing, doesn't go away. Its hard wired in to us!

Father 

Monk. Father. Spiritual director.
"Buzzer" finger friend.
Choir boy during the war.
Struggles like you and I, but,
At peace.
Happy and smiling
Lover of God.
50 years at Southern Star Abbey

Architecture of a guest house

This place is amazing, inspiring.

The new guest house was built in 2009 and won an award for its design. Its the ideal place to retreat to in winter. You can see snow on the Ruahine's but there's plenty of warmth inside. Electric blankets, heaters in the guest rooms, a large log fire and heat pump in the living area. And if the sun comes out, the building hardly needs heating!

Dinner (mid-day) and tea (5.15pm) are served in the main building (which is connected to the chapel), so if there's bad weather you only need to walk 10m across the driveway twice a day. Though, even then, you could cater for yourself in the fully catered guest building.

The hallway 

On the back of the G.
South side,
Views of the farm, hills, long tree lined driveway.
Views of the mists, clouds, weather coming in.
Seven narrow floor to ceiling windows,
Letting light launch triangle patterns across the floor.
Light, shadow, light, mesmerises as people walk down the hall.
Natural light crafted by a talented architect.
An austere white hallway, with simple carpet.
Contrasted by these windows,
Contrasted by the alternating slat wood ceiling.
So quiet,
Apart from the pitter, patter of gentle rain on the roof.
So quiet,
Apart from the crick, crack of the fire place,
Heating and expanding in the distance.
So well insulated and crafted for acoustics,
every sound seems an age a way.
The hallway.

Sabbatical, back on track

This is the year of my sabbatical from intentional community. It’s also the year I get in to writing more.

Speeches, business reports, gratitude journals, blogs.

I’ve been busy this year, which wasn’t part of the plan…

So this week I’ve taken some time out to get back on the sabbatical track at Southern Star Abbey in the Hawkes Bay.

Southern star abbey
Why did it take me 37 years to find this?
Silence, Solitude, Simplicity
Scenery natural,
Architecture wise.
Abbey of the Southern Star,
A Cistercian monastery built on farmland gifted in the 50s.
The monks lived cloistered,
The lay companion’s serve the guests.

The guest house,
2009, award winning architectural design.
Laid out like a digital, capital G, facing north.
Floor to ceiling double glazed glass,
Passive heat absorbing design, concrete pillars and buffed floor, high windows.
7 guest rooms. 2 rooms per bathroom.
1 or 2 single beds per room. Electric blanket and lots of covers.
A desk, seat, wardrobe, chair and heater.
Every room has a view.
All connected by the hallway to the living area in the bottom right of the G.

The rule of St Benedict, 1500 years old.
In regards to hospitality,
the guests should just... chill out!
So don’t expect to be prepping food,
or doing dishes.
Just, retreat.
Walk around the farm.
Take in the views.
Reflect.

Talk with the creator.