Day of Prayer: Wandering

Cantilever, originally uploaded by Captain Tenneal

During our breaks between scheduled activities, I used my time to wander around the abbey and explore nearby. The students were away on spring break so campus was almost entirely deserted. The leisurely unguided walking reminded me of my adventures in Japan, stumbling around old temples, shrines, and gardens.

The abbey church itself is beautiful and has an interesting architectural history. I spent most of my time there. But when I heard the monastic library across the street had pages on display of the St. John's Bible, I moseyed over there at the first opportunity.

The St. John's Bible is the first illuminated Bible in over 500 years. I was aware of the project, and I had seen some reproductions of the work before (there were a few high-quality prints on display at the guesthouse too). But it was entirely different to see the original artwork, on vellum, with the bright ink and gold leaf shining under the display lights. I highly recommend seeing them if you get a chance... and if you're in Minnesota, now is your chance to see them, as part of an exhibition of The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Day of Prayer: Our Group

Koya-San Buddhist Monk Statues, originally uploaded by j0rune

The monk who assisted us during prayer stayed with us as a guide through the rest of the day. After we finished with the morning prayer service, he led us out of the chapel and to the abbey guesthouse. We ate a wholesome breakfast and got to know each other a bit.

If I remember correctly, the monk's name was Fr. Simeon Thole. He was warm and friendly, quick to smile, and open to conversation. He was also willing to debate and discuss difficult topics. In short, he was everything I expected a monk to be.

We were joined by one other man during prayer, which made us a group of five in total. I heard this is an average turnout for these events. After a discussion about Lent and a group session of lectio divina, we were set free for two hours of personal time until the midday prayer.

Day of Prayer: Lauds

Abbey Church HDR, originally uploaded by Captain Tenneal

We were seated for morning prayer (or Lauds, if you want to get fancy) in the center right of the choir stalls. Our monk showed us what order to read from the books laid out in front of us, and then we were on our own. Luckily I had read a brochure on Navigating the Liturgy while I waited, which helped me to put a framework around the proceedings.

One of the warnings in the brochure was, "the pace of recitation at Saint John's is fairly slow and deliberate. Please listen to and follow the pace set by the monks. Guests sometimes tend to go faster than the monks." Good advice! I was careful not to jump ahead, and enjoyed the unhurried tempo of the readings.

After each reading there was also a long pause (I later learned that these 1 to 2 minute breaks were inserted for reflection on what had just been said). The first time it happened, I panicked a little. "Am I missing something? What's going on?" Soon I had adjusted to the pace and was able to relax into the silence.

Day of Prayer: Getting There

St. John's Abbey by Marcel Breuer architect, at Collegeville, Minnesota, 1953 to 1961, originally uploaded by studioloraine

I was up at four thirty and out the door by ten to five for the predawn drive to Collegeville. It wasn't until I was leaving the cities at about twenty after that I realized I'd forgotten my wallet at home. I checked the gas gauge, slowed way down to conserve fuel and then started my day of prayer early, with me asking God to get me there and back on less than half a tank of gas.

Participation costs money too, and I was nervous that they might not even let me in, but I needn't have worried. I found the Abbey Church easily and with plenty of time to spare. After parking, I took a quick walk around the campus and found this quote on a post outside:
"All guests who present themselves are to be received as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

I was early enough to peer into the empty chapel and watch a monk enter, silently light two candles in the front of the church, and then shuffle off again into the darkness. I returned to the entry and gathered with three other participants. The bells began to ring as the time for prayer approached. A little while before it was time to begin the morning service, a monk greeted us, and led us up to the choir section to pray with the community.

Benedictine Day of Prayer

Sun Hive, originally uploaded by Edith OSB

I have wanted to visit a Christian monastery for a while, and Lent seems like a good time to do it. After all, this period of the liturgical year is supposed to be characterized by prayer, penitence, and asceticism. Who better than an monk to exemplify these virtues?

So today I will be rising early and leaving home at 5:00 for the drive out to St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN. Today is one of four Benedictine Days of Prayer in 2010. On these days, the monks welcome "men and women of all faiths" to join them for a spiritual conference, lectio divina, silent reflection and prayer.

I am excited for this visit but not for any particular outcome. Although I have read many books on monasticism and one of my favorite authors (Thomas Merton) was a monastic, I'm trying to clear my mind of all preconceived notions going in. I will write about my experience afterward.

Mpls Indie Xpo comic by John Allison

I lifted the name of my comics festival from cartoonist John Allison. He is the best at comics in the UK and possibly the world. John drew the comic from which I excerpted the panel above, and it was that very strip, which convinced me to create the show in the first place. Just as reading an article about Bazaar Bizarre prompted me to found the Craftstravaganza, reading this comic was my flashbulb moment when I thought, "why not here? Why not me?" And committed to doing an indie comics expo on the spot.

Anyway we opened online registration this week, and I duly announced the opportunity to our Twitter followers and mailing list subscribers. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Within a day we had filled a third of our available tables and artists were enthusiastically sharing the news.

I was thrilled to see the groundswell of support from local cartoonists. I absolutely geeked out, though, when I saw MIX being discussed on Twitter by R. Stevens (of Diesel Sweeties fame) and John Allison himself. Whether or not they actually attend, catching the attention of two of my favorite comic artists was a personal high for me.

I'll be a Monkey's Uncle

Golden monkey, originally uploaded by floridapfe

We had a very food-centric weekend, but we did do other things beside eat. I think the 40 degree heat wave put an end to my hibernation. When I wasn't cooking I was cleaning, doing laundry, and being generally more useful around the house than normal.

We also spent a few hours at Como zoo and conservatory, and even shopped for baby clothes and jeans at the mall. But the biggest news of all is that we have a new nephew! My first nephew, in fact, joining the two nieces that we already have on Jenna's side of the family. All in all, a very exciting couple of days.