"My life is like a winding path.
Who will walk with me to see me safely home?"

         This past weekend two young men did just that, Cori Wall of Norman, OK. and Charles Joyce of Omaha, Ne. Holy Week is a wonderful time to experience a return to the Lord and experience new life. And so was the case for these two young men.

What happens on such a weekend?

         During these days of a monastic experience, the participants listen to numerous presentations by the monks about the principles of monastic life. But the most important aspect of the weekend is that the participants actually are offered a possibility to get out of the world of theory and actually practice and live the life. They don't just read about the life or listen to a monk tell them about what the life is all about. They spend time doing lectio divina and praying, both publicly and privately. They join the monks for the daily monastic schedule of prayer and work. They have time of quiet and rest to discern what God is calling them to do in life. They have an opportunity to talk and spend time with one another and share stories and compare where each is on his path of life. Truly they do try to walk with the monks and one another in discerning what direction God is asking them to take in order to arrive safely home.

         Mount Michael usually offers this monastic experience during Holy Week. Perhaps there are some who cannot come to the abbey during such a time. We would like all those who are interested in such an experience to understand that they can come at any time. We would gladly make such an experience possible for any who might be interested. How can one do this? All one has to do is contact Fr. John either by e-mail or a phone call. hagemann_john@hotmail.com
(402) 289- 2541 ex. 1111

We invite any who are interested in monastic life to take advantage of such an experience!