I was nineteen when I entered a monastery in New Mexico. Prayer and spirituality were as much a part of my life as dancing and having a good time with my friends. My life was a mixture of work, prayer and having fun. I didn’t see why it would be any different if I went and lived in a monastery. You know, St. Benedict’s motto was: Work and Prayer… and Maria from the Sound of Music made praying fun. Sure living in a monastery meant waking up early, praying most the day, wearing clothes that were straight lace, and sharing life in a semi-cloistered community of men and women. Yes, you read that right- I lived in a Catholic monastery where men and women shared a monastic life together under the rule of St Benedict.
I felt called and I couldn’t shake it. So I went and stayed three years.
Being in the monastery, was one of the best moments of my life. I could write a book about it. Instead I think this year I might add snippets to Tongue in Cheek.
…Now 30 years later the only reason I wake up at 5:30 a.m. is to go to a flea market. God bless me this morning.
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