For a while now I have greatly needed a day of rest, peace and reflection, to get away from all the clamor and noise that daily life brings and just to spend time with my Beloved, Lord. I have always wanted to go to a monastery and spend the day in solitude and I finally did it. Last Thursday, I got up at 5am and picked up my friend Christina. She originally thought my idea was a little crazy, especially waking up at the crack of dawn, until she could not hear what I was saying because her son was screaming too loud. In the midst of the screaming she realized that she did need to get away from the noise and decided to come along. So we headed to Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers, GA.
We made it just in time for 7am mass, where the monks voices sounded like angels and the stained glass glistened as the sun rose accross the shades of blue and purple window panes. It was so beautiful and reverent; I almost immediately had a tear in my eye. I enjoyed watching each person bow as they entered the abbey and realized that I needed to implement bowing before the Lord into my own life more. After the worship, the Friar gave the message. I could not really understand much of the message. Maybe, it was the Friar’s accent, or his old shaky voice, or even the echo in the room, but for whatever reason I could only understand a few simple things. He mentioned that “many are called, but few are chosen” and a “tambourine.”
After the message, we were able to take part in communion, or so I thought. This little lady in a veil must have noticed our questioning eyes and began to inform us that we were unable to take part in the communion if we were not Catholic. Instead, we were instructed to cross our arms over our chest and the monk would give us a blessing. I had heard that Catholic churches do not allow non-Catholics to take part in their communion, but I never experienced that kind of segregation before. So, we listened and got blessed by the monk instead. It is not every day that one can say that a monk has blessed them.
Later, during our silent lunch, we read that the Monastery did allow non-Catholics to take part in communion, as they wanted to bring unity amongst believers. I would have loved to have taken communion there, but I am glad to know that being a Christian you can take part in the sacrament if you wish. Next time I will know not to listen to the little lady in the veil.
The rest of the day I laid under a tree and talked to God, danced, threw leaves in the air spinning around like a child, reading, journaling, and just enjoying God’s presence. It was a glorious day and I left feeling so renewed and refreshed. I am now trying to carve out even more time in my busyness to be still and to just BE. And, to listen more!
