The Trappist Monastery

I thought this was a good excuse to return to blogging... I received this link the other day from a friend.
While I grew up in Ogden & the Monastery was a weekly, yes weekly (I'll explain in a minute) part of our life. I'm so surprised to find out how many people don't really know about this beautiful place.
When we were young the Monastery was thriving with young monks who farmed the 200+ acres, raised chickens & cows & made bread & honey. This came second to their serving God in prayer & silence. I remember visiting the monastery quite often, it is and always has been a place of quiet solitude. I secretly wanted to be a boy so I could go where the girls weren't allowed...
As for the weekly part: mom had eggs & bread delivered every Wednesday at about 7 in the morning. The coffee would be on & Smitty (the caretaker) or one of the brothers would bring them. We could have a slice of warm bread,& honey..... Friends would come on that day to buy these & mom would collect the money & have it for the monks the next week, orders were always called in the first of the week so they would know how any dozen eggs & loaves of bread to bring... I think this went on for more than 20 years.
So while there are only 13 monks left & most of them past their prime, they are all in their 80's. They lease the land to a very kind neighbor, there are no more chickens & the bread and honey are not made... It seems so sad that a simple way of life is dying away.......   literally...
The buildings are run down & in need of repair, but the grounds are still beautiful.... If you go you simply must visit the chapel & stop by the gift shop & talk with one of the brothers. Most take a vow of silence, but some are allowed to talk...
Don't forget to by some of the lovely items they offer.....  You can also get the recipe off this link for the bread... I know I'm going to make some very soon just to relive a few of those childhood memories....


http://www.holytrinityabbey.org/store.html