A bit of heaven: Mepkin Abbey

 

Yesterday I visited for the first time Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery northwest of Charleston, South Carolina.  Founded in 1949 on land donated by Henry Luce and Clare Boothe Luce, this property on the banks of the Cooper River was originally Mepkin Plantation, the home of Henry Laurens, a South Carolinian who served as president of the Continental Congress after John Hancock from 1777 to 1778.

The grounds of the Abbey are spectacular.  The Luce family built an extensive garden before donating the land to the monks and the garden continues to be very well kept.  The timing of the visit was ideal for seeing the azaleas in full bloom.

After my initial walk around the property, I decided to return with a book to read by the river.  During my second round I was accompanied by a tour guide, she led me and while I read she never went too far from me.  She was appropriately named “Abbey.”

Like all monastic communities, the monks at Mepkin keep a schedule that balances work and prayer.  The monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church throughout the day beginning with Vigils from 3:20am to 4am.  Lauds follows at 6:300am and Mass at 7:30am.  Terce is at 8:30am, Sext at noon before lunch, Vespers is after dinner at 6pm and finally Compline at 7:30pm.  The monks retire to their cells at 8pm.  Below is a picture of the monks walking from the chapel to the refectory for lunch.

The Chapel

The choir stalls

The library

The belltower

Monks do different kinds of work to remain self-sufficient, Mepkin is known for its mushrooms and fruitcakes.  A small gift shop sells products made by the local monks and monks from other monasteries.  It also sells books, religious articles and other gifts.

The Cooper River on its way to Charleston

Recently the Abbey opened a new guesthouse with sixteen beautiful rooms, a chapel and welcome area.  Retreats with different themes are organized throughout the year, but one can go at anytime on a personal retreat.  The monks were hospitable, the food delicious (all vegetarian) and the beds comfortable.

The chapel