Yesterday we took a drive up into the mountains and visited the monastery of Mount St. Benedict Abbey. It was a lovely drive and I got to take a few photos. We bought rosaries and had them blessed by a kind monk. I’m glad to be an agnostic theist type of person so that I can be open to all religions and the beneficial aspects they have to offer.
It was a welcome sojourn, too, as the last several days have been very trying and stressful. I will post more about that some other time.
The location of the monastery was of interest to me. Situated high in the mountains, it overlooks a vast area of the island of Trinidad. It was built to emulate the Abbey of Montecassino in Italy constructed by St. Benedict of Nursia in 529. The location signifies sacred seclusion, while at the same time the a desire to watch over and protect the people it surrounds.
This abbey specifically was founded in 1912 by monks who were fleeing religious prosecution in Brazil.
The view is breathtaking. My photos do not do it justice at all. Partially to blame might be my iPhone camera although it also seems apparent that an unfocused mind begets unfocused photos. Speaking of that, I love watching Ted Talks. Here are a few related to happiness and focus that I have found helpful lately. Embedding from YouTube doesn’t always work well so I’m going to use links instead.
Hope everyone is having a great week!
“Happiness is all in your mind: Gen Kelsang Nyema”
“Mind is Everything | Dr. David Hendricks“
“Dolph Lundgren | On healing and forgiveness“
The Sunstone Journal 
Your photos are evocative, JoAnn – you shouldn’t disparage them. Maybe, in common with every picture ever taken, you had to be there to appreciate the scene fully, but that’s the advantage 3-D always has over 2-D, no?
Besides, your snaps convey eloquently the lushness and the grandeur. My eyes, already gray-weary, drank deeply of their vivid magnificence. Still do, actually.
Thanks so much for showing me a part of Trinidad I didn’t know existed. And again, that gorgeous greenery! Thanks much for the early Christmas gift, JoAnn. Delivery received!
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All I have to say to that is you’re a wordsmith master. You really should write a book or something… if you haven’t already under your real identity that is. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me… saying this as I’m getting ready to post this comment publicly. 😂
Thanks for the kudos and compliments. A person just can’t enough of that!
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A beautiful place in an amazing location. I especially like that it is so light inside the monastery/church. European churches are often very dark and gloomy.
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Oh, dark and gloomy doesn’t seem so good. I suppose that’s because they are often older? My guess. Or people in Europe just favor dark churches, lol.
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Hm, yes, many of them are very old stone monsters and then with coloured glass windows, which does not make the light come through.
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Definitely seems gloomy! Not good for a church I wouldn’t think.
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No, I like my spiritual places with lots of light …
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Stunning place!! thank you for sharing this part of your journey.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!
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Oh Jo, this one’s a tear jerker – it made me remember my sweet grandmother who used to take us up there every year just before school reopens in September for the priest to pray over us for the new school term, and of course whenever there was a crisis in the family she would go up there to pray and for the priest to pray with her. I loved the drive to get there and the view! I haven’t been there since primary school decades ago! It’s beautiful and just like I remember it. Such a peaceful place. Thanks for this!
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It’s a great drive. A tad scary as the road is rather narrow. It is a lovely place though. I would like to go there often but of course that depends on my husband as he’s the one that has to drive it. I have no doubt that it’s a great place to go and get some spiritual healing. Can’t have enough of that! Glad that it brought back nice memories for you.
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Oh most definitely we can never get enough spiritual healing. This is a good place to just go sit and meditate – inhale clean fresh air. I do remember the road being narrow to get there and I’m sure it probably has deteriorated a bit with time. Nice memories indeed. 🙏🏽
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That’s such a beautiful church! I want to do there❤️😊
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