Posted on 08/20/2010 4:39:07 PM PDT by NYer
Perhaps you've seen the rotating ads on CMR promoting the Mystic Monk coffee. Well, they do more than roast beans. They are a newly-founded energetic community of contemplative Carmelites known as the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel who are serious about what they do: "strict monastic enclosure, two hours of contemplative prayer daily, study and spiritual reading, and manual labor." While the community is currently still small (under 20) they are being inundated with vocation inquiries and are planning to build a new monastery on a striking site in Wyoming to be known as the New Mount Carmel of America.
Their architect, James McCrery, has been working furiously to prepare initial drawings for their building complex (a once-in-a-lifetime dream commission), which has now been brought to the end of schematic design. (Schematic design means that it is only the initial, approved conception of the building. It will then go through design development to receive its final details. For that reason, many of the images shown are not highly detailed or use what are called "place holders" meant to give a general idea. In other words, if you are an architectural nit picker like I am, hold your nits for a few months.)
The Carmelites asked for a decidedly French Gothic design centered around a large chapel. Small hermitages are located to the east of the chapel since the monks live much of their day as hermits. The plan also provides for other needs: refectory, chapter house, infirmary, novitiate, offices, etc.
Here are more images sent by our friend Mr. McCrery. Enjoy!
(click to enlarge).
Ping!
I wish them Godspeed!
It looks absolutely beautiful.
” two hours of contemplative prayer daily,...”
Gee, that much??????????????????
What kind of monastics are these? They should spend at least that much time in a simple vespers service.
Great!
That’s pretty. Very European. Can’t wait to see it completed.
Very beautiful.
The two hours of (usually) solitary contemplative prayer are in addition to the communal chanted prayers of the Office.
Where does the bible teach eastern mystic meditation?
Beautiful. Just beautiful. May it be an inspiration to all.
Thank you for your input, dear Kolokotronis!
Wow. Can one not see the Hand of God in this?
Wow. Can one not see the Hand of God in this?Indeed. Here's a picture of our front yard for instance. (Photo snapped at ten paces out our front door.) *smiles*
That’s what Christian monks have been doing since the 1st century AD
“The two hours of (usually) solitary contemplative prayer are in addition to the communal chanted prayers of the Office.”
Did I miss that in the article? Did I also miss, even with your additions, the Compline, Orthros, Liturgy and Vespers or have those gone out of style since Vatican II?
The article states quite explicitly that they are Carmelites - so they obviously say the entire Divine Office as all Carmelites always have.
Moreover, the link to their website specifies that they follow the Primitive Rule of the Discalced Carmelites, which means that they say the Divine Office according to the even longer, more ancient usage.
“The article states quite explicitly that they are Carmelites - so they obviously say the entire Divine Office as all Carmelites always have”
Oh come on, w! That’s the ultimate in inside baseball. Why should readers here know that Carmelites have “always” prayed the entire Divine Office each day? You know as well as I do that there are multiple orders of Latin rite monastics who do not and live “in the world”. The article says what it says. It is sloppily written and does a disservice to these monks.
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