So since I'm still awake for some reason or other, I'll tell you a bit about my weekend.
I am singing in my DH's Episcopal church choir since moving to the Twin Cities, and they go on an annual retreat to learn music for upcoming services and concerts. We went to the campus of St. John's University, a Catholic institution located in Collegeville, MN, about 1.5 hours north by car. The campus is in a beautifully pristine setting of acres of rolling hills and lakes. There is also a Benedictine Monastery there. So 30 of us repaired north for the weekend.
The Benedictines are noted for their focus on hospitality. We were staying in the Guest House, a facility built within the past five years or so. It is simple but warm and welcoming. We attended meals in the common dining room (the food was again simple but wonderful), attended daily prayer services in the Abbey with the monks, and held 3 two-hour music rehearsals each day. There was socializing in the evenings. The outside temp was -13, but we could travel between the Guest House and the Abbey via an underground tunnel. The services with the monks were pretty spectacular - the Abbey is very contemporary in design, with great acoustics. The monks take their time with things; there are a lot of silent spaces in their worship. But after a time it becomes mesmerizing, and you do find yourself slowing down and becoming more in touch with the 'now.'
In better weather, there is swimming and hiking. The monks have many avenues to pursue vocations, including bread baking and furniture making. The University also commissioned a complete illuminated Bible, probably one of the first scribed on vellum since the Middle Ages. The artwork is contemporary and quite arresting; the whole project is very interesting.
All in all, it was a great escape and a most rewarding few days.
