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#380881 - 06/02/12 01:19 PM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: theophan]
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Member
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 76
Loc: Indiana
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Are all these Eastern Catholic Monasteries growing in numbers and able to attract new recruits to the fold?
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#380884 - 06/02/12 02:13 PM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: Palaiologos]
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Member
Registered: 09/07/09
Posts: 133
Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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Glory to Jesus Christ!
I think we ought not judge monasteries based on any other than a direct experience with the fathers there and those who have visited first hand. It's possible that numbers are down, jurisdictions have changed, and the like, for reasons that are outside of the spiritual life of the particular monastery in question. For one considering a monastic vocation, nothing other than that experience for an extended period can truly give one a sense of the spiritual life of there.
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#380892 - 06/02/12 04:45 PM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: Palaiologos]
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Member
Registered: 08/28/08
Posts: 340
Loc: Oregon
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The overwhelming majority of Eastern Christian (Catholic and Orthodox) monasteries in North America are quite small. Only a handful have more than 10 monks.
Of the 4 EC monasteries mentioned in this post, 3 of them have been seeing new vocations every year or two. Only the Michigan skete has had no new vocations.
Most of the Orthodox monasteries I have visited have only 2 or 3 monks currently.
That being said, do not judge a monastery or its monks by the size of the community. Throughout Christian history we see so many examples of great things done by and through individuals and very small groups.
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#380982 - 06/04/12 09:52 AM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: Palaiologos]
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Junior Member
Registered: 05/30/12
Posts: 11
Loc: TX
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True enough.
As an update I will (hopefully) be visiting Holy Resurrection Monastery later this month.
Anyone have news on the monasteries in DC and Butler, PA?
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#380999 - 06/04/12 04:46 PM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: Palaiologos]
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Member
Registered: 08/28/08
Posts: 340
Loc: Oregon
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A Ukrainian GC priest friend of mine told me that the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Washington DC now has only one monks left there. I have no reason to think otherwise as he regularly corresponds with the monk.
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#381030 - 06/05/12 10:34 AM
Re: Eastern Catholic Monasticism in USA
[Re: Erie Byz]
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Junior Member
Registered: 05/30/12
Posts: 11
Loc: TX
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Holy Trinity in Butler has three monks left: Br. Michael (73), Fr. Anselm (85ish), and Abbot Leo (79). They are a rather aging community. I just moved back to PA from NY and I am attending Fr. Leo's parish (he celebrated our Crowning at our last parish in PA) and I get to talk to him regularly. He told me that as of late many of the men looking to join are running from their lives not to God and the Monastery. He also said that it could be difficult for a young man to join without any other men in formation because of the need for somebody to grow with. It's a terribly sad situation. Truly a sad situation. However, what is even more sad is that it seems to be a growing trend.
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