Over Easter I spent a few very peaceful days at Clearcreek monastery in Oklahoma.
Low mass in the church crypt. Low mass happens at 7:00 am. Ten monks say mass simultaneously, making use of the 8 side altars in the crypt, as well as the high altar, and the tabernacle altar.
Clearcreek is one of the only (the only?) traditional Benedictine monasteries in the United States. They are an offshoot of the Solesmes congregation, which was founded in France following the devastation wrought on the monasteries by the French revolution.
Another picture of low mass in the morning. A very peaceful experience.
The Solemnes congregation has specialized in resurrecting Gregorian chant, and the monks at Clearcreek participate in that tradition to the fullest. Daily mass at the monastery lasted a full hour and a half because of the intricate and rich chant (This was Easter week, and so I can’t be entirely sure such an elaborate mass was entirely normal. I have been to the monastery twice before, but both of those times was during Christmas week, when you would also expect elaborate liturgies).
And one more of low mass.
The monastery was founded in the early 90s and has come a long way. I counted 39 monks while I was there, though there may be more. They say their goal is to reach 60, at which point they will found another monastery. The most remarkable thing about the monk is how young they are: there appear to be several monks in their early to mid 20s, and plenty who can’t be into their mid 30s. Just another sign of the “springtime” JPII spoke about.
A picture of the crypt of the church.
This is monastic life at its richest, and its most authentic. The Benedictines are an entirely contemplative order, meaning their primary purpose in life is simply to pray. Silence rules their life: they speak only when necessary, or during times of recreation. They strive towards self-sufficiency by raising their own cattle and sheep, growing their own produce, and by mastering various crafts, including cheesemaking and iron work, the products of which they sell in their book store.
The monks go out for their daily walk during recreation. This picture was taken from my cell.
All of their liturgies are in Latin, and they say the 1962 missal (i.e. tridentine or extraordinary rite). They get up around 4:45 for lauds, and then matins, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline, all of which are chanted with exquisite purity.
A picture of the interior of the main church (sorry it's so dim)
During my time there I was able to get a tour of their cheese-making operation. It’s a humble thing, with an incredibly humble monk at its helm: and the cheese they make (a gouda from their own milk) is utterly delicious. In order to get this private tour I had to ask permission, and had to get it from the abbott: they are very jealous of their privacy, as pretty much any authentically contemplative order is.
Another picture of the main church (also too dim).
I will tell you more about the cheese-making later (and my own experiments trying to make cheese). I am also working on an article about monastic life, which I should be done relatively soon. In the meantime enjoy the pictures.
A view of the monastery. Right now there is a temporary roof on the church, because they have not yet been able to raise sufficient funds to complete the full church, which will be about twice as tall as it is right now: a classical romanesque church with soaring vaulted ceilings. It should be very impressive when it's complete.
- The monastery is surrounded by hundreds of acres of forest and hills, with ponds and creeks and lots of pasture. It is in a valley, and this picture was taken from one of the surrounding hills during a hike.
Another shot from the hill - you can just see the top of the monastery peeking through the trees.
The view from my cell. That part of the building is the bookstore and, I believe, other administrative offices.
- A typical cell (my cell). Sufficiently small and austere for a monk.
Remus
Romulus
