My Brief Monastic Life

THE 1^ST CUP

I was surprised to see a wedding at the monastery that early afternoon after taking my first cup of the most famous monks’ brew. I was just starting to take everything in and I felt so privileged. I have reviewed the monk’s prayer schedules and felt excited to spend those quiet moments with them. And finally, I have taken my first 3-hour sleep after 32 hours of being awake with only a 10min nap during the 3-hour bus ride to Bukidnon and an hour of not-deep-sleep in the plane ride to Cagayan de Oro.

The first bell I heard at 4.45pm signaled the time for Vespers – an evening prayer. I went up the monastery with 2 other retreatants and a warm & loving nun, sister Marily who was staying over for the weekend with her sisters.

Brother Ethiel, a novice monk who entered the postulate 3 months ago with 2 other postulants, was assigned that week to assist the retreatants. He handed over to me two songbooks… so I thought there would be quiet singing or maybe soft worship. I was appalled as the vespers began.

How in the world have I forgotten that the monks chant their prayers. I have listened to lauds and abbey choirs during my pray-as-you-go moments and have admired the Celtics… how then could I have not anticipated the chants.

It was a very special vesper for me. it was my first vesper ever. By 7pm, I attend the Vigil, the night prayer done on eve of Sundays. And so of course we chanted again the prayers until it was time for silence in the rooms. With my sneezing and loud blowing of nose (I had nose allergy remember), I started Dr. Ado’s guided retreat for me. As I wrote in my journal that night, I let it all out. The cry I have been suppressing for many months now came out… I cried for forgiveness and being able to forgive. I cried pains & complains, I cried for pleas and peace… there, in the quiet solitude of my room up the mountains with the night lamp on… I cried like a child.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

That Saturday night, my first night… Sr. Marilyn asked me if I’ll attend LAUDS early morning the next day… I said yes. If it’s going to start at 4am, she said she’ll have to pass. But I was decided to do so even if prayer begins at 3am.

That was what I told myself before I went to bed. As my alarm rung was a different story. After the alarm woke me up at 4am I immediately switched it off deciding I should just sleep off the lauds just like Sr. Marilyn since I was really tired from the long travel and hard cry that night. By 5am… another story began. The big chrome bell by the monastery rang so loud that I felt it was pushing me out of my bed. Little by little the bell rang louder… I hurried when I heard a soft noise from the room Sr. Marlyn shared with her sisters and thought… if she’ll attend the early morning prayer… I’ll be there too. I hurriedly bathe and prepared while another bell (in a different tone) rang in harmony with the first bell. Two big bells are now calling me! I felt like Cinderella who wanted to despise the clock for pushing her around to start work. I made the flight up the monastery praying my nose wouldn’t cat up until the bell stopped.

I was a few minutes late that morning. Yet the prayer was memorable. My nose didn’t act up. And I felt a wonderful morning breeze as the sun rises.


God’s love is wonderful… He is merciful, even if we don’t live up to being worthy… He continually gives good things…. reflections from being tardy that morning… and I swore it won’t happen again. 

My Brief Monastic Life

THE ASCENT

Inspired by Phileena’s book, me – a mountain climber in m own right and a pilgrim by heart, wished Dom Elias just told me to walk towards the monastery from the front gate instead of instructing me to take the multi cab. After meeting a family before I headed to the road towards the monastery, I took a habal-habal instead which is way cheaper and which suited the adventurous me. the driver can’t speak fluent Filipino so we both picked up whatever word we could distinguish from each other. And just as my instincts have prodded me, he dropped me off at the old monastery which was nowhere near the new monastery and guest house where I was to go. Following signs and instructions from the people at the gift shop by the gate, I took on the road towards the new monastery and I smiled as I saw from afar it’s roof that pointed towards the heavens. It was beautiful even from afar. But as I walked on, I realized the road was longer that I appeared to be and I began to wonder if I was still on the right way. Nevertheless I walked on smiling and sighing… so I got what I wanted – a long walk up from the gate, after all. It was a rough-3km hike!

The walk was breath taking. I saw golden rice fields, pine trees (my favorite) and other crops and plants as if welcoming me before I enter what would be my sanctuary. Tired, perspiring but excited upon reaching the top… there it was in front of me. A sight any architect would drool over, a sanctuary that would stop any pilgrim’s breath. There’s something about this place and the atmosphere that told me… “we’ve been waiting for you”… & I whispered… “Shalom to me”… then I decided… it is time to rest.

My Brief Monastic Life

PROLOGUE: Bold as Coffee, Great as Heaven

I finally had to take this trip after postponing it for 2 months due to time & financial constraints. My world has been caving in on me and within that time delay, my reserved energy is acting up yet all the more I held on to God’s strength and power until I journey up the mountains of Bukidnon.

It is my first time to go off somewhere with no other agenda but to be by myself, be quiet, sing alone and be away from the noise of my life for a week… on my own for a week.

It was a brave act for me to take the early 3am flight and rely on whatever I have researched in the net on how I’ll be doing this trip. This could be exciting, I thought to myself… but at the same time afraid that I may not make the wisest choices for my meager budget. But since it’s happening now, I know this is God’s right timing and everything will work out fine.

It was a Bold move I had to take for my sanity. The nose allergy I had been having for some days due to stress (I knew the symptoms!) needed distressing.

I needed the stillness and peace of heaven and the comfort of coffee.