Fifth of Five: Great Lakes Tour, Day 8

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Great Lakes Tour, Day 8

I've spent a few nights in convents and monasteries in my life. I can't really describe it other than to say there is a greater feeling of peace there - God is nearer somehow. The sleep is sometimes short but it is always more restful than at home. Knowing that, I was grateful for the peaceful sleep, despite its limited duration, when my eyes popped open at 4:30 AM and refused to close again. Giving my morning thanks for our reunited family, I contemplated what to do next...then I remembered the book in the living room that listed the monks' prayer times. From their website:

A Day in the Life

Many people ask us, “What is an average day in the monastery like?” Here is a brief description of an average day.
The day here begins at 3:10 a.m. with the wake-up bell. After a small cup of coffee, the brothers quietly make their way to the chapel for Vigils, the longest office of the day. Over the course of an hour, we chant fourteen Psalms and listen to two long readings, one from the Scriptures and a second from the Church Fathers. We join the angels, who never sleep, in watching for the coming of Jesus Christ in glory to save those who eagerly are waiting for Him.
This communal prayer is followed by a period of private prayer called lectio divina, . This is a traditional prayerful meditation on God’s Word, particular the Holy Scriptures. At 6:00 a.m., we return to the chapel for the office of ‘Lauds’, our morning praise of God. This is followed directly by the celebration of Holy Mass, with traditional Gregorian chant. We sing most of the offices in English and most of the Mass in Latin.
After Mass, there is a short period for personal matters and breakfast. We also prepare breakfast for our B&B guests at this time. At 8:15 a.m., we gather in a room called the Chapter Room, where the Prior reads a ‘chapter’ from the Rule of Saint Benedict and gives a short commentary applying its sixth-century text to our contemporary situation. We then have a few moments to discuss together our work for the day.

I suppose God may have planned for me to be there for Vigils but, choosing to wake up slowly (I wouldn't make a good monk...or angel), I showered and had plenty of time to settle in for Lauds instead.

I took this on my way out, after the sun had risen. Heading into the church at 5:45 AM, the city still dark, it was a beautiful, welcoming sight...doors open to all passing by...come in and share some time giving glory to God!

The sung Liturgy of the Hours is beautiful to begin your day. I usually kneel or sit and just close my eyes (sometimes because I can't find my way through the breviary but usually because it's so peaceful to just be and listen to the voices). Mass was immediately after and, as much as I would have liked to be a monk for the day, motherhood called. Back to the apartment to cook up the eggs, bacon, hash browns, juice and other yummies that our good hosts had supplied and enjoy our first family breakfast in a week!

Fueled up physically and spiritually...I needed the second for the drive through Northern Chicago!...we headed to our next destination - Marytown!

Marytown is the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe and it's located, not in Marytown (confusing, I know) but in Libertyville, about an hour north of Chicago. We arrived with lots of time to explore, adore and settle in before Mass. It was an extra blessing to finally have DH along for the experience!

As we explored, we spoke to the staff and realized, not only was it the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (always an extra grace to attend Mass on a Marian feast!) but also the 69th Anniversary of the founding of Marytown!

This is from the bulletin...not sure why it's sideways.

Just before Mass, #1 also leaned over and said, "you know who Our Lady of Sorrows is patroness of, right?" Of course! Slovakia!!! I love when God yells really loudly, "IT IS GOOD THAT YOU ARE HERE!!!" Ahh, we are blessed.

The grounds were beautiful, as was the day, so we took a long walk through the rosary garden.

In their defense, the sun was blinding!

The outside of the chapel

The inside of the complex was equally informative and beautiful. Of course we had to hit the gift shop first, and were greeted by the Saint himself!

Heading back up the hall, the secretary pointed us downstairs to the Holocaust display. Parts of it were off limits to the littlest but there were things for everyone to see and experience.

In the entry were huge cases filled with nun dolls

I can't imagine there was any order missed!

I can't imagine there were this many orders!

The exhibit was full of good information but, truly, the pictures and art were so moving.

The exhibit was a very good preparation for getting our minds in the right place to head upstairs and Adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament as we took our turns for confession. What a great blessing to have your soul cleansed before Mass! I am so grateful when that happens. The Adoration went well too but then, it was pretty cool...the monstrance is FIVE feet tall!

Mass was also a new experience. The chapel is built so the ambo and the presider's chair are at the middle break of the chapel (in the picture above, the break is right around where the photographer was standing). After the Liturgy of the Word, the priest and servers process the rest of the way up the aisle to the altar. The separation yet connection was a wonderful visual.

Mass over, we headed out to our final destination...Wisconsin, our friends and their beautiful family :0)

You're tired of reading and I'm tired of writing so I'll just close this out with some pictures from our visit. Every visit is so short yet so full of goodness. I always come away grateful to God for this family. They anchor us, even from far away, in a way only others who share our journey can. How blessed we are to know them! How blessed we are to have returned from an amazing trip full of new experiences and sights. We are truly blessed.