Up the Abbey Bell Tower with Br. Joe (Part 2)

Br. Joe and I, on a whim, decided to climb the bell tower again.  Eager to take pictures, I took my camera.  I was not disappointed.

You can get an idea of just how high the first level is. Br. Joe is actually 5 or 6 feet above the floor.

When we first came up, we stepped out onto- owl pellets. Lots and lots of owl pellets.

Owl Pellets

South Courtyard from first level

At one point I realized that the bells were about to ring. Br. Joe and I camped out with our fingers in our ears laughing.

The student art exhibit “Refuge” seen from above.

The cross on the Abbey bell tower

The “Crow’s Nest” at the very top of the bell tower.

The circle drive.

Our church was built to look like a ship and you can really see that here.

Our chimney stack.

Around the Abbey we have carvings of many different plants and fruits. These are rarely seen because they are where the Church now is.

Around the Abbey we have carvings of many different plants and fruits. These are rarely seen because they are where the Church now is.

Our refectory and cloister walk.

From the top of the church.

Br. Joe gives some perspective as to how enormous this bell tower really is.

Oh look! Trees growing on our roof!

Br. Emmanuel is here, working below.

North courtyard.

The cross at the front (prow) of the church.

The little grotto, seen from the top of the church.

Happy Solemnity!

Today, Benedictine communities throughout the world are celebrating the Solemnity of the Transitus (passing into eternal life) of St. Benedict.  This day also happens to be my name day.

So today, on the Solemnity of the Passing of Our Holy Father Benedict into eternal life, I, Br. Benedict Mary Geist, OSB (of the Order of St. Benedict), a monk of St. Benedict’s Abbey, the purveyor of Benedict’s Beads and Benedict’s Brittle and co-founder of Benedictine College (formerly St. Benedict’s College) whose campus is next to St. Benedict’s church (part of the larger St. Benedict parish community) and St. Benedict’s Catholic School and on whose campus is St. Benedict Hall, a statue of St. Benedict and the St. Benedict’s Abbey/Benedictine College Library (where I work, making me a Benedictine Benedictine Benedict) wish you blessed feast of St. Benedict and ask that God may graciously give you his benediction.

As you can tell, I had a lot of fun writing that.  We monks are not terribly creative at naming things.  At any rate, I also wish to share with you a beautiful prayer to St. Benedict, written by St. Anselm for you consideration and prayer.  It is a monk, writing to the founder of his spirituality, begging for mercy and help in his monastic life.

Holy and Blessed Benedict,

Whom heavenly grace endowed

With the rich blessing of great virtue,

Not only that you might be raised up

To the glory you desired

And to the blessed rest of your place in heaven,

To the rest of the blessed, to a seat in heaven, but also that your blessed life

Might draw many others to that same blessedness,

That your sweet counsel might rouse them,

Your kindly doctrine instruct them,

Your wondrous deeds inspire them.

Oh, I say, blessed Benedict,

You, whom God has favored with such great benedictions,

I prostrate myself before you,

With all the affection I am able to express;

I implore your help

With all the desire I am able to rouse.

For my need is huge and unbearable.

For I profess to lead a life of ongoing conversion,

As I did promise when I took the name and habit of a monk.

But so far removed am I [from this life of a monk]

That my conscience convicts me

Of lying to God, to angels, and to all peoples.

Holy Father Benedict, be with me!

Do not, I beg you, be distraught

By my many failings and lies; but hear me

As I confess to you,

And grant me greater mercy

Than I have a right to expect.

Don’t forget! There is a rosary sale going on until tomorrow to celebrate St. Benedict’s Transitus.

Prayer of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin

Today, on the day I take vows, I am renewing my Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  My prayer is as follows:

The Holy Theotokos and St. John

Most holy Mother, I, Br. Benedict come to you on this special day on which we celebrate your Immaculate Conception and on which your adorable Son Jesus has permitted me to take simple vows as a Benedictine Monk. On this day, St. Benedict’s Abbey becomes my home. I remember well Jesus’ words to you and to me: “Woman behold your son.” “Son, behold your mother.” I behold your spotless purity, your unshakeable faith, your undying love, and your special place in the most Sacred Heart of your Son. As Jesus’ beloved disciple, I wish to take you to my own home. Be pleased to come dwell with me here at St. Benedict’s Abbey.

But Oh Mary, what sight must greet you when you behold me? I have sinned greatly and without number! I am a sinner constantly in need of the blood and water that poured forth from Jesus’ sacred side. So great am I in need of that mercy that I no longer feel worthy to approach Jesus on my own. I wish only to be his slave through you. Today I renew and ratify my baptismal promises and I renounce Satan and all his works. Please crush his head in my life! As your slave I give to you all my spiritual and temporal possessions, past, present, and future, and give to you the right to do with me whatever you see fit for the greater glory of God in time and eternity. Please bring me to your Son as his slave, that he may welcome me as he welcomes you. Please form Jesus in me so much so that when I enter eternity and come before God’s mighty throne I may not hear the words “Depart from me” but rather “Woman behold your Son. Son, behold your Mother.” And you will take me to your own home.  Amen.

Up The Abbey Bell Tower With Br. Joseph

Br. Joseph Ryan, our Porter, Sacristan, and general Abbey handyman told me that our bell tower lights were not functioning quite right and so he had done some work with extension cords.  I asked if I could tag along when he went to retrieve the extension cord to take advantage of the rare opportunity to visit the bell tower.  Here are the pictures of the stunning view.

St. Benedict’s Church and Elizabeth Hall

A view of the Abbey Teardrop

The Haverty, Bishop Fink Hall, Guadalupe are also visible

The top of the Abbey roof looking towards McDonald Hall and the Amino Center

The front steps of the Abbey church see through one of the gaps in the tower

A view of the guesthouse

Probably my favorite picture from the trip

Looking towards the river

Looking north toward the smokestack and the new Baseball and Softball fields

Br. Joe pointed this out: a buzzard nestled on the roof of the guest house tower to fan out

Buzzard fanning out

The top of the roof

The cross over the narthex

A unique view of the bell tower from the roof

Br. Joe strikes the heroic explorer pose

Isn’t my home beautiful?