Creatures & Charisms –
August 8, 2026 – The church lives out “enclosure” in a variety of ways. Some “enclosed” monks and nuns are extremely separated from the outside world, not even showing their faces to visitors. Others, while visible, remain physically separated, respecting boundaries demarcated by gate-like barriers traditionally called “grilles”.
At Trappist monasteries like ours, while there are substantial spaces designated for the monks and nuns only, the physical demarcations tend to be clear yet subtle. For example, there’s a tall, wide hedge that cuts through our front yard. It reminds guests and sisters alike to both respect the monastic enclosure and to foster the “enclosure of the heart” – the sacred space within each of us where Jesus waits for us to meet him.
That said, fresh breeze, so to speak, certainly can – and, arguably, should – enrich our enclosed life. Throughout the past several weeks, we’ve welcomed several monastic guests “inside”, and they’ve really blessed our community with their gifts –
Two Vietnamese sisters of the Order of Cistercians, currently studying English and Theology in the US, spent two weeks of their summer break with us. They were so grateful to be immersed once more in the monastic milieu, and we were so grateful for their prayerful, peaceful presence. We also really appreciated all their cheerful giving! They mastered our dishwasher, for example, in short time.
Fr. Dennis MacManus, diocesan priest from Alabama, professor of seminarians in California, and a “son of the Church” through and through, graced us with a week-long course on the Roman Catholic liturgy. Replete with very animated stories, enlightening historical and global context, and heartfelt love for Christ and his people, Fr. MacManus’ lectures were enthralling! And though Fr. MacManus has now traveled on to another one of his many engagements, we’re finding ourselves more fully engaged in the liturgy that we live day-in and day-out.
One of our own Trappist Cistercian sisters, originally from Venezuela, has been with us for about two months of her current sabbatical. It was a privilege to be with her when the news broke about the recent earthquakes in her homeland. While her loved ones all made it through safely, of course we’re still praying with her for everyone who is suffering such loss. On another note, we’re also smiling with her – Isn’t this a great photo?! She’s been so happy to be here, so affirming of the silence and beauty of this place, causing us to pause and look around and gratefully smile, too.
Each house of our Order receives a “regular visitation” every two years. As stated in our Constitutions, “The purpose of the regular visitation is to strengthen and supplement the pastoral action of the local abbess, to correct it where necessary, and to motivate the sisters to lead the Cistercian life with a renewed spiritual fervour.” (OCSO Constitutions 75.2) In other words, we help to hold one another accountable, “worthy of the calling which [we] have received” (Ephesians 4:1). To that end, our brother Dom Augustine, abbot of our monastery in Conyers, Georgia, was with us this past week, listening to us with care and exhorting us with love, a real presence of Christ’s wisdom and peace.
In conclusion, our contemplative vocation requires our whole hearts, and enclosure helps us to take this fact seriously. We also rejoice in our responsibility to appropriately welcome guests into our life of prayer and love. We want to openly listen to and learn from them, receiving the gifts of their lives, too.
Recall the hedge – Its roots are deep, its branches are thick and gnarled, its foliage is green year-round. Birds and bunnies, squirrels and even full-grown turkeys, use it as both passage and shelter. (And if we would let them, the deer would feast upon it all winter long!) For us, it’s a gentle presence, a living, breathing limitation. It is a real sign of enclosure, all while allowing the graces of God’s diverse creatures and charisms to breeze through!
All Photos: Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey