Chiquitunga Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 (edited) Hey guys, I just returned the other day from a visit with these sisters. It was truly a beautiful retreat! I was in the little hermitage, St. Anthony. I did not bring a camera, but I thought sometime I will borrow my brother's digital camera to show you guys a few of the little statues I bought there. It was pretty cloudy and foggy most of the time I was there. One night the power went out in a big storm, but that night I prayed the most actually and realized well my dependence on God. :j I was asking some more questions about the order, and learned that actually the Motherhouse of Bethlehem is at Currière-en-Chatreuse, an old Carthusian charterhouse rather than, Les Montsvoirons, where I went. The Mother Prioress lives at the monastery in Bet Gemal, Israel though. I asked if Livingston Manor is the only monastery of theirs with English as the main language of the liturgy, and actually they said there is one starting in Galilee, where English will be the main language. They chant/sing the Byzantine liturgy with some Latin elements, like Salve Regina, etc - and have the Roman Novus Ordo Mass with Latin and Byzantine singing/chant. They have a very different liturgy. It is very inspiring and deep though, and well worth it to hear in your own language. I love Gregorian chant, but if I were in this monastic family I would want to sing the Byzantine liturgy mostly in English, rather than mostly in another modern language, I do not know very well. But French is a very beautiful language. I bought a cassette of them singing in French and Latin and it is bbeeeaauuuttiful! Then I asked about the nationalities of the different sisters in Livingston Manor. There are 12 there (one in the School of Life, makes 13) Two are American (possibly just 1 now, as 1 went to a house in France), a few Canadian, a few French, 2 from Mexico, 1 from Poland, 1 from Belgium, and 1 from Finland. They are really international! They don't actually have too many American vocations. Maybe that will change in years to come. They are hoping to begin a house in Mexico too. It's true that every time I've been there, there has been at least one Franciscan Friar of the Immaculate, and one CFR. This time there were 2 CFRs and 1 FI. I see on their site that the FIs have a contemplative house pretty close to Livingston Manor in Maine, NY. I hope hughey/Laura had a great retreat with the CFRs. I am happy to hear of a few others that were on retreat too with religious communities. Well, Bethlehem is definitely # 1 on my list! Talk to you guys again later! Edited November 22, 2006 by Margaret Clare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiquitunga Posted November 22, 2006 Share Posted November 22, 2006 (edited) [quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1125841' date='Nov 22 2006, 12:55 AM'] They chant/sing the Byzantine liturgy with some Latin elements, like Salve Regina, etc - and have the Roman Novus Ordo Mass with Latin and Byzantine singing/chant... [/quote] Actually on, I believe, Tuesdays and Fridays, they have what they call a silent Mass, where they do not sing/chant - in case any of you were to visit them on those days and wonder what was wrong. Possibly it is this way Mondays too, as it is their 'desert day' where they only gather together in the church for Mass at 5:00 pm. Edited November 22, 2006 by Margaret Clare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarissa Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 [quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1125841' date='Nov 22 2006, 08:04 AM'] Then I asked about the nationalities of the different sisters in Livingston Manor. There are 12 there (one in the School of Life, makes 13) Two are American (possibly just 1 now, as 1 went to a house in France), a few Canadian, a few French, 2 from Mexico, 1 from Poland, 1 from Belgium, and 1 from Finland. They are really international! They don't actually have too many American vocations. Maybe that will change in years to come. They are hoping to begin a house in Mexico too. [/quote] that's so cool! i had no idea that they have a sister from finland. i'm from there too, and there aren't that many catholics there. it's really good to know that there is a finnish sister praying for all of us... blessings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philosophette Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 Does anyone know if the sisters make their own hosts for the mass? I remember them being like a big hunk of break, sort of crispy... It was different, and neat. The superior, I think it was, also held the chalice for the priest and he gave communion by way of intinction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiquitunga Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 [quote name='philosobrat' post='1126562' date='Nov 23 2006, 12:01 AM'] Does anyone know if the sisters make their own hosts for the mass? I remember them being like a big hunk of break, sort of crispy... It was different, and neat. The superior, I think it was, also held the chalice for the priest and he gave communion by way of intinction. [/quote] Yes, they do make their own hosts for Mass. It is definitely unleavened and within the regulations of the Church. It is a pretty big host, really a circular piece of unleavened bread. They do give out Communion by way of intinction on the tongue. ( but it says on a note about their liturgy in the guest tribune, that if someone does not wish to receive Holy Communion in this way, they can make a sign to the priest ) The Mother Superior, Sr. Amena, will hold the chalice for the priest unless there is more than one priest there. When I was there, there were 2 priests at each Mass. Something particular about their Mass is that there is never a homily - just a silent pause after the Gospel. My favorite part is that they have a full half of an hour of silence after Mass, as a thanksgiving after Communion. It is really beautiful. And after this thanksgiving, they consecrate themselves to Mary. The Mother will say, "Most Blessed Virgin Mary ... " and the sisters will say the prayer in silence by themselves from their hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathoholic_anonymous Posted November 23, 2006 Share Posted November 23, 2006 Their custom of silent thanksgiving and consecration is beautiful. Sometimes I feel as if my prayer is much deeper when I pray silently - I can't get distracted by my voice then. I would miss not having a homily, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile James Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 [quote name='Margaret Clare' date='Nov 9 2006, 01:09 AM' post='1115832'] Les Montsvoirons - Monastère de Bethléem - the Motherhouse near Geneva [img]http://www.balade3d.com/galerie/p83.jpg[/img] Monastère Sainte Marie Reine des coeurs - Québec [img]http://pasto-mission.iquebec.com/organismes/images/monastere-bethleem2.JPG[/img] in Italy - many old monasteries were turned over to the Monastic Family of Bethlehem in Europe, including several Carthusian Monasteries - I'm not sure which order this one belonged to, but it looks pretty old. [img]http://www.esicasmo.certosini.info/ESICASM/MONACI%20BETLEMME/MonMCorona2.jpg[/img] [/quo Glory to Jesus Christ! Hello, just a note and thought from Canada. The Monastery that you were not sure of who it belonged to before, well having stayed on retreat there last Lent, it is now the Brothers of Bethlehem and the Assumption of The Virgin ,and St Bruno. In Mt Corona, Umbrian mountains (with the Siters 30 Kms away)in Italy. It used to be a Camoldalese Monastery (the first?) The Brothers ,like the Sisters are a wonderful Community. I too had stayed at Livingston manor, and in France and Italy.The Brothers are in France, near the Chartruese, Italy, and Israel, may return to Spain. I have more pictures of Brothers of BethlehemI,taly and my stay, that i took for my parents here.. [url="http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/emile_james2006/album?.dir=2cc0&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/emile_james2006/my_photos"]http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/emile_jam...s2006/my_photos[/url] may God give you all His great Peace.Emile James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Thank you Emile for sharing these lovely photographs of the monasteries of the Brothers ofBethlehem and the Assumption and St Bruno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiquitunga Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 (edited) [quote name='Jennirom' post='1147341' date='Dec 22 2006, 07:55 AM'] Thank you Emile for sharing these lovely photographs of the monasteries of the Brothers ofBethlehem and the Assumption and St Bruno. [/quote] Yeah, thank you so much! This is a great addition to this thread on the Monastic Family of Bethlehem. It is hard to find a lot of information about them out there. Mostly you just have to go to one of their monasteries and see for yourself. We've got a pretty good thread about them here though, especially now with this look at the Brothers. I met some of the brothers too at the Evangelical Month in France. They were great, just like the Sisters. Edited December 23, 2006 by Margaret Clare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile James Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 [quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1147607' date='Dec 22 2006, 07:28 PM'] Yeah, thank you so much! This is a great addition to this thread on the Monastic Family of Bethlehem. It is hard to find a lot of information about them out there. Mostly you just have to go to one of their monasteries and see for yourself. We've got a pretty good thread about them here though, especially now with this look at the Brothers. I met some of the brothers too at the Evangelical Month in France. They were great, just like the Sisters. [/quote] ----- [img]http://p.webshots.com/ProThumbs/92/63392_wallpaper280.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile James Posted January 2, 2007 Share Posted January 2, 2007 (edited) Glory to Jesus Christ! hope all are having a blessed Nativity season and Feasts of The Holy and everVirgin Mary, The circumcision of Jesus Christ and of St Basil the Great! I thought i would contribute some photos on the Livingston Manor Bethlehem Sisters thread, of more of the Bethlehem Brothers.My swf/quicktime slide show presentation of the Monastic family of Bethlehem , the Assumption of The Virgin Mary, and ST Bruno..is almost complete...now if i can just find what happened to my Cd's of there chant?? Being a community i admire most..i like to think of them as what the very early Carthusians may have been like. Praying that God willing the Brothers will open a N/American foundation (the Novice master and 2 other Brothers are American.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/341838763_3520750686_o.jpg[/img] [img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/341838758_e2226529ba_b.jpg[/img] all you holy men and women of the Desert, pray for us! [img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/341838754_8a940588c7_b.jpg[/img] Edited January 2, 2007 by Emile James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChild Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 So I was wondering, since the Sisters of Bethlehem are quite eremitical. . .have you ever heard of the Hermits of Bethelehem of the Heart of Jesus? They are a diocesan laura. Here is a book the founder wrote : [url="http://www.albahouse.org/desert.htm"]A Way of Desert Spirituality[/url] They are in NJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emile James Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 (edited) [quote name='HisChild' post='1156315' date='Jan 4 2007, 07:26 PM'] So I was wondering, since the Sisters of Bethlehem are quite eremitical. . .have you ever heard of the Hermits of Bethelehem of the Heart of Jesus? They are a diocesan laura. Here is a book the founder wrote : [url="http://www.albahouse.org/desert.htm"]A Way of Desert Spirituality[/url] They are in NJ. [/quote] Glory to Jesus Christ! hello, yes, i have heard about them , plus their is a 3 part documentary on them on youTube, i posted about them here below in the thread on Mens Religious Communities [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s=&showtopic=62254&view=findpost&p=1155076"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s...t&p=1155076[/url] The Hermits of Bethlehem 82 Pleasant Hill Road Chester, NJ 07930 USA Voices in the following video are not theirs, nor are all of community shown. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0zH8CH7K0o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0zH8CH7K0o[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziMIrqMcjIU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziMIrqMcjIU[/url] Edited January 5, 2007 by Emile James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Emile...Thank you so much for sharing these lovely videos of the Hermits.They truly live their live in the Heart of Jesus supporting the work of the Church. We are all priviliged that they devote their lives to Our Lord for us in this way. God Bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HisChild Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Thank you Emile. I had actually seen all three videos of them on youtube. . .from EWTN. And one thing led to another, with me searching out the order, finding the books, etc. I wasn't sure if they were 'ok'. But the bishop sure is behind them! And their laura looks peaceful and away from much noise, which is a benefit. I wonder how they support themselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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