“Unity and simplicity of natural materials is a hallmark of
monastic architecture and is in full evidence at Mepkin.”
Anonymous
As
we turned into Mepkin Abbey, we drove down a lane with a canopy of
magnificent live oaks on either side of the road draped with Spanish
moss. It felt as if the trees were beckoning us to come in and
explore this lovely property. We drove right to the Visitors Center
and store and signed in and entered the store. Inside, we saw a Monk
and spoke to the lady behind the register and requested to go on the
tour of the Church. We paid our five dollars each and then the Monk
spoke to us saying the tour would start in five minutes.
We
looked around the store and the many unique items to purchase and
then headed outside to meet the Monk. When we got outside, he
introduced himself as Father Joe, (Fr. Joseph A. Tedesco) who is the
Superior of the Monks here at Mepkin Abbey. He lead us into a
conference room to speak with us since it was raining at that time.
When we sat down, he told us of the history of this Abbey and the
history of the Trappist Monks. He told us Mepkin Abbey is part of
the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the strict Observance,
commonly known as Trappists.
They
live by the rules of prayer, work, and hospitality. They wake up
each day at four AM for prayers and breakfast, followed by work, then
prayers again in the evening. Their work here is to raise Oyster and
Shiitake mushrooms to sell. They live by the work they can do with
their hands which provides them with a livelihood for themselves and
the poor. Each Abbey sells different goods from clothes to honey,
candles to cheeses and beer to coffins. The Monks follow the rules
of Saint Benedict. Their three vows are stability, fidelity to
monastic life, and obedience. Mepkin Abbey was founded in 1949 by
the monks of gethsamani in Kentucky. He explained he is the leader
or superior but could not become an Abbot (the head and chief
governor of a community of monks) because the cut off in age is 75
years old and he is turning 75.
This
property was first acquired through a land grant in 1681 to the sons
of John Colleton, who was one of the Lords Proprietary of South
Carolina. Then in 1762, one of his descendants sold this property to
Henry Laurens. He was born in Charleston in 1724 and later died on
Mepkin in 1792. He ran a rice plantation here that was quite
successful. At one time, he was confined to the Tower of London
for fourteen months and was later exchanged for Lord Cornwallis.
Later after generations, this property was sold to Henry Luce and
Clare Boothe Luce. Henry launched Time, Life, Fortune, and Sports
Illustrated magazines and was a well known publisher and
philanthropist. His wife was an American author, politician, public
figure, and US Ambassador. She was a devoted Catholic and loved
her gardens of which still remain. The Luce’s donated a large
part of the property to the Trappist Order’s Gethsemani Abbey for
its use.
Father
Joe guided us out of the conference room where we walked along the
path called St. Clare’s Garden which is taken care of by their
gardener and a corps of volunteers. It is full of beautiful plants
and trees to gaze on while strolling down the path. Then we entered
the private area through an intricate iron gate. The path through
the gardens and trees is very beautiful and walking with Fr. Joe and
hearing him point out all the points of interest was both inspiring
and fascinating. His sense of peace and spirituality radiated from
him and it just felt good being with him.
He
pointed out the library which was funded by the Henry Luce Foundation
and was opened in 2001. It has 11,000 square feet. It is a two
story building and has over 43,000 volumes of books on philosophy,
theology, monastic studies, and art. There are also many rare
books.
We
followed Father Joe up the path to the church. Once in this area we
noticed the silence of courtyard with the live oaks. The feeling of
peace and tranquility in this area is very apparent when all you can
hear are the birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees.
Father Joe pointed out the fifty foot high Bell Tower in front of the
church. It has four bells in it that sound C, D, F, G and are rung
before prayers in the church or at the death of a monk. They call
it the Tower of the Seven Spirits and say it is to give voice to the
people who lived on the Mepkin land and those that are laid to rest
here. The Seven Spirits are the Indians, Henry Lauren’s family,
African Americans who worked this land, the Henry Luce Family,
friends of Abbey in the secular cemetery, the monastic community in
glory, and the monks who still remain.
He
also pointed out the remnants of the serpentine wall that was built
years ago when the Luce family lived here. He explained where the
monk’s private rooms were located on either side of the church and
told us there is an area to for care for the senior monks.
When
he open the beautiful wooden doors to the church, we entered
silently. He asked us to sit in the pew so he could tell us a little
about the church. The ceilings are fifty foot high and are angled
toward the front of the church so while they are singing the psalms,
it increases the beauty of the song by having great acoustics. It
must be very moving hearing them sing the psalms here during prayers.
The Alter is in the center of the transept and there was a font as
a reminder of baptism. At the end of the day after prayers. the
monks are blessed on there way to bed. On either side of the church
are two rows of what looks like a choir loft. That is where the
monks sit to reflect and pray. It is a beautiful church but I did
notice there were no pictures, stained glass, or statues. He said
that is to help with their meditation. The church has great natural
light from the windows above.
As
we walked back towards the gate, he showed us the Refectory which is
the monastic dining room. It is set up very simply and he said it is
also a room of prayer and while they are eating bible readings are
read. They eat a meager vegetarian diet with some fish.
The
Trappist speak only when necessary and there is no idle talk. They
do try to minimize conversation. They use a Trappist sign language
at times which renders speaking unnecessary. They live a simple
life and give themselves to God and to prayer. Speaking with Father
Joe you do sense that inner peace and you can tell he is happy with
his lot in life. What would be isolation to some is his heaven.
Father
Joe bid us farewell and pointed to the gate and blessed us. We felt
honored that we had this time with him. He turned back and walked
in silence towards his room and we walked out reflecting on all he
taught us that day. We walked back out the beautiful walkway to our
car. It was too late that day to do the gardens and the weather was
no cooperating, so we will come back tomorrow. God bless the monks
at Mepkin Abbey and we are thankful for the continual prayers for us.
We are thankful and blessed you are here.
Day
two at Mepkin Abbey. Once again we were drawn to come back to the
Abbey to see the gardens and to go to the store to buy some of the
monks mushrooms. We started by signing in at the visitors center
where we met up with our friend, Jason and picked up a map. We
walked towards the gardens. The live oaks look so graceful and
beautiful and seem to welcome us back. As we started to walk down
the road towards the garden, a sandy colored dog ran just in front of
us not wanting any attention but lead us into the gardens.
She
first lead us to the area where there were beautiful wood carvings by
David Drake, who was the nephew of Brother Laurence, deceased. He
cut these carvings out of the trees that were toppled from Hurricane
Hugo in 1989. We stopped to look at the amazing details and admire
his work and sure enough, this beautiful dog stopped as well.
We
continued to follow our new found friend who guided us to the
Columbarium where the cremated remains of loved ones can be placed.
This is a sacred resting place. The monks call this “a place of
quiet, a haven of peace, a resting place forever.” Anyone can
choose to have their remains placed here.
Then,
our friend lead us right to the Lauren’s Family Cemetery. After
our visit there, when we came back he guided us to see the river.
This plantation is located at the junction of the two forks of the
Cooper River just north of Charleston. The views were nothing less
than spectacular. There are benches there facing the river to sit,
reflect, meditate, and enjoy the views.
Next
our guide dog lead us to Luce Garden which was a lovely area to see
with beautiful walls and statues. Then our leader showed us the way
around the two amazing lakes that are beautifully landscaped. Right
before we walked between the lakes, our friend for the day – headed
towards the private area on this land. We wondered if he was a pet
of one the monks, a dog spirit, or just someones dog. We felt
blessed he chose us to be with that day. Many people we ran into
that day, asked us if it was our dog. We had to say no, but he did
choose us to spend the day. Thanks for that. Goodbye dear friend.
As we continued over the path between the lakes, we heard a plop
where a small alligator had jumped into the pond and swam away.
Nature at it’s best.
As
we were heading back we saw there was a labyrinth burned into the
land which is there to walk around and meditate. We ended up back
at the store where we bought some of their fresh mushrooms and their
special compost. They also sold dried mushrooms and many other
unique items made from other abbeys as well as books.
This
is a must see place if you are anywhere near Charleston. You will
come away from there refreshed spiritually and be more contemplative.
May God Bless this land and the monks who care for it and may if be
here for centuries to come. Be blessed and have a great day.
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