15 Comments

Well, I have no superpowers, it's hard to say what I am best at., yes I have visited a monastery and even wanted to join one. Well again, this exercise has again revealed that thumb- typing is my worst skill.

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LOL I think thumb-typing would stymie even superman. Thanks for reading, Ann!

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I have read Canticle for Liebowitz. Have you read Lord of the World?

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Oh we could talk about this for ages. I have NOT read Lord of the World and I am deeply afraid to. I read the wikipedia page because I was curious and it gave me nightmares. Did you like it? Is it as scary as the wikipedia page made it seem?

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"God gave you this monastery to deal with your pride." Mmhm, sure, Jan...

1) Riiight, you're asking for no reason whatsoever. 😁

2) I've never thought about having a "signature" talent/skill. I guess you'd have to ask my family and friends?

3) I visited the Daylesford abbey outside of Philly! They're a group of Norbertine monks and priests.

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1) I listened to the audiobook. Great stuff. It's on my relisten list, if I ever get to that.

2) I can whistle, and you don't hear many people whistling nowadays. One thing I can't do is snap my fingers. I've tried; I just can't make that "snap" sound. Go figure.

3) I have! The Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, a Trappist monastery that was the home of Thomas Merton. We were able to stay and attend Mass there once. There's a hill outside that is one of the quietest places I've ever been. The monks chant the Mass. It was truly beautiful.

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In my memory, I have visited the grounds and chapel of the Trappist monastery that produces Trappist Preserves. I’ve also visited the grounds and chapel of a Franciscan monastery in Maine. I’d love to actually /visit a monastery/ someday, not just merely for their gift shop and to walk the grounds (both of which are good to do), but to be fully immersed in the daily lives of the monks or nuns and to attend Mass and Divine Office with them. Someday, God willing.

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There’s a group called the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem in Charles Town, WV who have rooms for visitors and (presumably) just the sort of thing you are talking about. I understand there are other places who do the same, but thats the first i’d heard of. When i lived closer by, my friend suggested i do a self-imposed retreat there. I never got around to it. I frequently wish that i did.

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That sounds amazing. I’d love to be able to do that someday myself, as long as the monastery has accommodations for people with dietary restrictions so that I can eat while I’m there.

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Cool story, good job

This is a spectacular summer storm, really one of Our Father’s better efforts, thought Brother Matthias as he hustled out back and reached for the handle to the corrugated tin shack to refill the water barrel. The next thing he remembered he was laid out flat. Sans eyebrows but otherwise no worse for wear. Except for that racket. The chatter. Everyone at once marveling about the lightning strike and his miraculous survival. Then it struck him. Not a lip moved. Yet he heard them all clear as day. He was a long way from Damascus but apparently he had awoken from his electrocution with powers of telepathy. He could tell what each of his comrades was thinking. Interesting in a vacuum. But beyond useful in a community sworn to silence. Once his powers became known he was called upon throughout the monastery for all sorts of workaday communications.

Now instead of crude pantomime or tiresome writing on chalkboards to convey even the simplest requests, a sideward glance would be all it took to let Matthias know it was time to gather the turnips. Or trim the candles. Productivity soared.

But the gift came with a dark side. Exposed now were the secret thoughts and desires of every friar. What lay behind Brother Franco’s lingering stares at vespers. More than the love spoken of in 1Corinthians. And laid bare were Brother Brutus’s innermost thoughts on sheep and goats which went well beyond separating them at Judgnent Day.

The head of the order saw his young charge’s anguish and scribbled down that he would pray for the Good Lord to take away this thorn, this scourge masquerading as a superpower. But of course, Mathias already knew that.

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Fascinating story idea! I have read Canticle, and it inspired a large section of my first novel.

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I have not read that, but now it is on my list! Thank you.

I visited a Buddhist monastery when I was in Mongolia (some years ago now). It was amazing to see the young novices in their lessons, and then outside producing mobile phones from the depths of their robes. Fascinating and wonderfully welcoming people, I'd love to visit again.

My superpower? Hmm. Probably quoting Douglas Adams at people.

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That sounds like an amazing experience! Thanks for reading, architectonic!

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Really enjoyed this story!

1. I haven't read Canticle for Leibowitz, but seeing you talk about it has made me put it on my wishlist.

2. I'm a decent cook, even if I say so myself

3. I haven't visited a Christian monastery per se, though I have visited Buddhist monasteries in China once or twice (just as a sightseer). But I did know a dear lady, a friend of my mother's, who was an Anglican nun and one of the most delightful and grounded people I've ever met. (Her convent sent the nuns out into the world, rather than staying in the convent). Also, I've been on retreat a couple of times at a Jesuit retreat house, but I guess the priests there aren't necessarily monks.

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An ethical dilemma and a cool plot!

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