I began my retreat with a bit of trepidation. What should I expect? As I rolled my suitcase into the foyer of the monastery, I was greeted by Fr. Charles B., one of the senior monks of the abbey, who escorted me to my living quarters. I was immediately taken back by the silence of the place -- it was not "dead silence," but a reverent silence. I walked into the "clausura," the cloister of the monastery, and my retreat began.
As retreats go, it was a fairly simple one. I had no specific guidelines to the retreat, save for reciting the Office with the monks while reading, reflecting, and praying in private. I arrived on Sunday afternoon, and so had the opportunity to celebrate the entirety of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the monks. It was such an honor to pray with the monks in this way. I was allowed to sit in the north choir of the abbey church, where I began to learn the rhythm and flow of the sung chant and spoken psalmody.
The day began with the rising bell, 5:30am. This was followed by vigils at 6:00am, breakfast at 6:45am, and lauds at 7:15am. I would follow this with my Holy Hour and spiritual reading. At 12:05pm we prayed midday prayer, followed by recreation and reading. It was at this time that I had a chance to speak with the monks about their vocation stories as well as read a wonderful book, entitled "Tenacious Monks," written by the late Fr. Joseph Murphy, O.S.B., which is the history of Sacred Heart Mission, now St. Gregory's Abbey. I am unaware if this book is still in print, but, if you are ever interested in the establishment of Catholicism in Oklahoma, this is the book to find. At 5:00pm, Mass was celebrated. Dinner followed at 5:45pm, with lectio read while the monks ate in silence. Vespers was prayed in the abbey church again at 6:45pm. Compline was prayed privately.
One of the things I utilized in prayer was the beautiful stained glass in the abbey church. Original to the church, which itself was built in 1942, the windows represent an architectural simplicity found in the art deco style of the period. The use of gem colors in the glass offset by the simple black lines used to draw the details of each character adds a majestic quality to the simplicity. I was particularly drawn to the rose window in the south choir of the church. From my own place in the north choir, I was able to reflect on this window at length. In it is depicted God the Father, wearing a three-tiered tiara, hands raised in benediction, and holding in front of Him the heavenly spheres -- the sun and the moon and the stars. He is surrounded, in bold red letters, with the Latin inscription, "EGO SUM QUI SUM" -- "I am Who I am."
One of my favorite windows, however, happened to be in one of the small side chapel windows. In this window, no more than a yard tall and ten inches wide, was depicted a demon, yes, a demon, cowering under the weight of his chains, with a grimacing face pointed toward heaven. For such a simple pane of glass, this window spoke volumes to me. No matter the temptation, no matter the terror or fear aroused by evil, it has been overcome nonetheless. All it can do is grimace with terror itself at what it has rejected.
And so, with this small excursion into my retreat at St. Gregory's Abbey, I hope I have given you a reason to learn more about this amazing and historical place. For Catholics of the Sooner State, we owe so much to legacy of the Benedictines who paved a way through political, religious, and of course geographic "hard clay." Oklahoma continues to be mission country, and St. Gregory's remains a Catholic beacon of education and culture.Please pray for the growth and well-being of St. Gregory's Abbey. For more information on the abbey and it's goings-on, you can follow this link.
I am from Florida but visited the Abbey. I did not intend to go in the Church but was there just to take pictures. I went in and dropped a note in the offering box for candles and asked that the Church pray for my sick brother who has cancer and is in hospice. I did not expect a response but Fr. Martin, the former Abbot called me and we met at the Labor Day Mass. He was so kind, and hospitable that I cannot describe it in words. They have offered masses in my brothers name and have brought tremendous comfort to our family. If you have not been there I would not miss the opportunity if you are in Shawnee. It is a holy place. Also, the labyrinth is worth a try.
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