The Holy Trinity Monastery
I have always had a great deal of respect for Priest's, Nun's and brother's/monks. When you consider all that they give up to serve God and his people, it is an amazing sacrifice that very few of us would ever undertake. The chance to never be a mother or father and have your own children, the vow of poverty and celibacy and the life long commitment to serve God, his Church and its people. This entire concept is very evident at the Holy Trinity Monastery which we strategically made our first stop on our Westward journey. Our stop off here was two fold, 1.) to spend Christmas in a holy place versus a Wal Mart parking lot or a standard camp ground. 2.) It was a chance for me personally to regain some of my Catholic faith that I have lost along the way in adult hood. The Monastery has done both for me. We celebrated a wonderful Christmas at Midnight Mass followed by a social gathering with the Priests, Brothers and Sisters of the Monastery along with other parish members. What was amazing was that the Midnight Mass was over flowing. The attendance of the residents at the Monastery plus the parishioners from the local town, St. David, required chairs placed in the aisles of the church and there were still people left standing in the back. The Mass was wonderful and touching and helped to fulfill my faith requirements. The social gathering afterwards was wonderful as we got to sit with Sister Jean and other folks from the community.
I awoke on Christmas morning and after a cup of coffee walked around the grounds of the Monastery taking in the sites and snapping photos along the way. It is quiet here and there is a sense of being one with God and nature. Peacocks roam freely as do the local Javelins ( a form of wild boar ) that roam the camp grounds at night ( they are nocturnal animals and do their foraging in the darkness ). The sites, sounds, sunshine and peacefulness make this stop one of the greatest we will have in many of our future travels. I urge anyone who is burdened with lives little problems or in need of a place to get away and hide out so you can find yourself again to consider coming here. This place will touch the depths of your soul as well as provide you quiet guidance back to a happy life. It will also allow you the chance to peacefully walk the many trails through the pecan orchards as well as the other trails that wonder throughout the Monastery property. I hope you enjoy the pictures that follow this as much as I enjoyed taking them. I have tried to take photos that tell stories as well as present the atmosphere that is present at the Holy Trinity Monastery, a Benedictine order of Monks and Priests. ( I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sister Jean and Brother Benedict. Both made our stay so wonderful. May God continue to Bless you both ).
The Holy Trinity Monastery
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| This Cross, made of cement stands 70 Ft. tall | Looking at the Cross through a Pecan tree |
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| The entrance to the Cross | The Rectory where the Priests & Brothers live |
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| The Church | Walkway to the Church |
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| The front walkway to the Church | Stations of the Cross. Most Catholic's are familiar with this but the majority of these praying stations are inside the church. This is the first out door Stations of the Cross I have seen. |
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| A flock of Peacocks look out over the Monastery. This one was perched on top of a building. | The Cemetery is located next to the Church. |
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| The Hermitage | The wall that surrounds the Chinese Meditation garden. |
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| Chinese Meditation Garden. | The Chinese Meditation Garden. |
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| The small but functional Camp Ground at the Monastery which provides full hook ups. | Our spot at the Monastery Campground. |