More Catholic Kentucky

I’m back from my weekend way up north.

(Pictures here, but a bit of video on Instagram – if you miss today’s Stories, check out the “Monasteries 2022” highlight. I’ve stopped by two over the past couple of weeks – well, actually three, come to think of it, since I took one of the grandkids to Ave Maria Grotto – and as it happens, in my near-future travels, I’ll be working in a few more. It’s not the focus, but they’re on the way, so why not.)

Sunday morning, I went to Mass at St. Louis Bertrand, which was gorgeous and larger, I think, that our Cathedral here in Birmingham. I thought it was the choral Mass, but it wasn’t – that would be at noon – but perhaps another time.

I do love woodwork in church interiors, and this was magnificent. It’s a Dominican parish, the preaching was good and actually happened in the pulpit designed for it. The communion rail has been retained and is also used, which was interesting. No ushers emptying pews and guiding lines – a pleasant change.

On my way back, I stopped at the Abbey of Gethsemani. I have been a couple of times before, but not for many years. It being later on a Sunday, none of the visitor services were open, and I couldn’t figure out how to get back to the monastic graveyard to pay my respects, again, at Fr. Louis’ grave. I think you might have only been able to access it via the retreat house, or perhaps if the visitors’ center was open. It’s fine.

(My basic take on Merton is here)

I was there for Vespers.

“God Alone” is carved over the entrance to the cloister – a reminder of what the monks’ lives are all about. “Pax” is for the visitors. It’s what’s offered there, and what we are invited to nurture, and take with us on the journey.

So, Dominicans and Trappists. Men wearing white with dark shaded scapulars. One ministering in the middle of the city, based in a beautiful, highly decorated edifice, preaching with words. The other in the Kentucky hills, most of the time in silence, emerging to pray together in the stark, simple, undecorated chapel and to share that prayer with the few outsiders who’ve showed up in the back.

Different ministries, different charisms, different settings, both absolutely necessary to the Body of Christ. Both living out and sharing gifts, through the witness of their lives, their words, their silence, their prayer, their scholarship, their hospitality – that the rest of us receive in whatever way we can, whatever our capacity and capability – not to keep to ourselves, but to share with a suffering world.