On Any Sunday

                

I was nineteen when I entered a monastery in New Mexico. Prayer and spirituality were as much a part of my life as dancing and having a good time with my friends. My life was a mixture of work, prayer and having fun. I didn't see why it would be any different if I went and lived in a monastery. You know, St. Benedict's motto was: Work and Prayer... and Maria from the Sound of Music made praying fun. Sure living in a monastery meant waking up early, praying most the day, wearing clothes that were straight lace, and sharing life in a semi-cloistered community of men and women. Yes, you read that right- I lived in a Catholic monastery where men and women shared a monastic life together under the rule of St Benedict.

I felt called and I couldn't shake it. So I went and stayed three years.

Being in the monastery, was one of the best moments of my life. I could write a book about it. Instead I think this year I might add snippets to Tongue in Cheek.

...Now 30 years later the only reason I wake up at 5:30 a.m. is to go to a flea market. God bless me this morning.

Comments

[wilsonian]

I'd love to hear more about those days, Corey. I've a good friend who is a Benedictine oblate, and I've taken to praying the hours (though I'm not nearly as faithful as the oblate!).

[Angela D]

Oh I will so look forward to snippets about your time in the monastery. Of course since I recently found your site, I need to go back through all the archives to explain your journey to France.

Hope you have a super weekend.

[Gail]

Dear Corey,
Those were the days, weren't they? I lived at that Benedictine Monastery, too, 30 years ago. It was one of the most enriching times of my life. God has blessed us richly over the years. He calls each of us on our path to journey towards Him.
xoxo
Gail

[Colette]

I went to a convent school, and sometimes I spent the holidays there, too, when all the students had gone home and the place was empty except for a handful of us whose parents were in other parts of the world. I remember the gardens and the chirping of the sparrows in the late afternoon... It was lonely, but I was a child. As an adult, though, I think it would be a different story altogether. I hope you'll share more snippets. xoxo

[Sandy]

I too am looking forward to hearing your snippets about the monastery, not that I wouldn't also LOVE to read a book about your life. : )

[stljoie]

Corey you are a most interesting and complex person. I look forward to learning more.

[Dana Smith]

Damn, Girl........you are just amazing. I have a friend who did the same thing...only after her husband announced he was Gay. You have lived life to the fullest. Don't you love facing each day knowing you have the control bars?!!!

Dana Smith in VA

You are so funny. Who says we can't worship God at a flea market?

[Hasmin]

Can't wait for the snippets, Corey. :-)

[meredith]

I can't wait to hear more about those three years. I have a friend back in the states that reminds me of you...

[Jeanne]

Please write more about that part of your life......I am always fascinated........
Me for some reason I am up by 4:00 A M each day now but also go to bed early.
Just like my Grandmother's life long pattern
she always said early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy wealthy and wise.
Love you
Have fun

[marita]

a monestary sounds familiar to me, spending my entire school life with the inhabitants.
i don't have found memories about them.
on the other hand i always remember the tricks we used to play during that time.
however i am pleased you changed the course of your life, corey... choosing for the french ball, strolling at provence flea markets on sundays instead and ofcourse...
meeting you along the way a blog adventure!
sendings my blessings at the market ;))

[delphine]

I went to a Catholic private highschool and my Religion teacher was an ex-nun. Now I would love to have a coffee with her!
It,s true Corey, you never cease to amaze. Thanks, :)
delphine

[Pam Aries]

Whaaattt??? Living in a Monastary has to be an amazing story ! YOU are amazing!~ THis is very interesting and intriguing.

[Shannon]

Oh, the stories I look forward to reading about your life in a co-ed monastery. Who knew monasteries could be co-ed.

[Miss Sandy]

Corey,
You are always full of surprises. I look forward to hearing more.
Miss Sandy

[Beverly]

What an amazing life you have led Corey. It would be so interesting to read about life in the monestary and the perspective that it gave you, so I hope that you do share...

I have to be honest about the 5:30 flea market trips...I don't think I could do it!

[Dee/reddirtramblings]

Corey,

You inspire me with your posts. I linked to you on my latest blog post. You are living an amazing life. I wasn't Catholic until adulthood, but I was always drawn to the faith. I loved Catholic movies. The insides of the churches just seemed so holy, and I found, they are. Thank you.

[beachy]

You're a truly amazing woman, Corey! Just look... you are sharing all you have learned and experienced with people all over the globe who read your blog. Your years in the monastery made you who you are today! And BIG HUGS to you for sharing this... because I mentioned your story to my mom, and in all my living years she never revealed a secret to me until your post... she had always wanted to be a nun!

[tommie]

Corey- this made me laugh! Bless you, I do hope you find some wonderful treasure today.

By the way, the only reason I get up at 5:30 is when some cold child crawls in my bed to snuggle! I can never get back to sleep even after they have warmed.

[Dee]

Corey...so MANY surprise elements to your blog on a daily basis! I love it!...Love you!

Be blessed today!

[Lilly]

Hi. Looking forward to your stories. My sister, who is the liveliest, most fun-loving of all of us, went off to join the convent, Notre Dame de Namur order, when she was 19. I think 'The Sound of Music' figured into her decision about entering too. She stayed in quite a while and then decided it wasn't for her.

[Becca]

I have spent many of my most contented hours in silent retreat in monasteries.Prayer has been my single most helpful means to survival and blessing. I look forward to your thoughts on monastic and spiritual life.

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

God bless you ...

[AnnieElf]

That would be a very interesting book to write someday Corey. By the way, got my winning on eBay copy of Somerset Life. Beutiful issue. I'll look forward to more.

[My Melange]

Yes, God Bless You...and may you find many a buried tresure today!!!!

[Ulla]

The monastery of fleas! I love it! You are at the top of spirtual enlightenment dear girl...

[Linda Harre]

Corey.....your are such an INTERESTING PERSON!!!!! I would love to know you in person....such insight, experience and perception:D Holiday Love.....Linda

[Rosemary]

Wow Corey,
You are full of surprises. I would read that book!
Rosemary

[Cousin Chris]

Corey,
Your title today caught my attention "On Any Sunday" I sure if you said that to your Dad or Brothers the first thing that they would think and say is "Oh, On Any Sunday, the Motorcycle Movie? You alway know when certian people are going riding on Sundays, because they are at Saturday Night Mass!
Sundays, a holy day...for church and riding your Motrcycle!
Cousin Chris

[Terri]

What an interesting time that must have been. So few take time to really think about their lives and what to do with them. I will look forward to hearing more about that time in your life.
God bless.
Terri

[Gill]

Please post those snippets about your years in the monastery. I am not Catholic, but as a child I always dreamt of becoming a nun - the quiet and the solitude and the peaceful nature of the existenc really appealed to me....then life got in the way ;-)

[nel]

You have lived the most amazing life and I love sharing in your memories of those moments through your blog. Nel

[Kara Garber]

you're so fun & real.
P.S. my husband used to haul hay etc. to non-movie stars places in CA. He drove a semi, paying his way through college at UC Davis. Most places he went to were dairies, ranches, etc. I even went on a date with him to a restaurant in Winters, CA (The Buckhorn).......California is so vast-- with an ag economy that amazes me.
kara

[Elaine L.]

I would love to hear about your life while living in the monastery.

I would, also, LOVE to see a youtube of you and FH dancing!

~elaine~

[Bebe]

Hi Corey!

Just wanted to pop by and tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I've had you in my faves for awhile now and loved reading (and seeing) photos of your finds at the French flea markets!! I know how much fun it can be out there on the antique trail!

Take care and happy holidays from the sunny Georgia coast,
Bebe :)

[stephanie]

Corey,
How very interesting this bit of your history is! Please do share these moments and insights with us...

[A Fanciful Twist]

That is incredible Corey. I remember you mentioning it a long time ago. I was rasied Catholic... I never understood why so many people felt squashed, I always loved my faith and felt the most awe inspiring thing in our amazing church in a tiny Mexican town... That is a wonder tale... Love it!!!

[Sweet remembrance]

I find it all so very intriquing...
A monastery, wow!
I look forward to reading more...
Priscilla

[Mrs. G.]

I can't wait to hear about the monestary. I have a close friend who has been living in a cloistered convent for the last 20 years.

[Marie-Noëlle]

"ORA ET LABORA"...
THREE whole years in a monastery...
No wonder this big hood of yours that is full of love...

[eb]

oh yes - please do share more...

xox- eb.

[Candy]

I definitely want to hear more! I have two friends here in Abilene who spent some time (though not anything like you did) in a monastery in New Mexico too. I wonder if it was the same one. I'll have to ask them which one it was. I have to say I love that you did that.

[lulu sparkles]

oh I would LOVE to hear about anything you wish to tell. thank you.

[Sue McG]

What a wonderful part of the tapestry of your life, I was always drawn to that life myself - can't wait to hear those snippets :)

[heather]

that's so cool. i served a year and a half mission in sweden when i was 21, and those years focused on God still haunt me with longing. everyday life gets so cluttered with things that seem necessary (but aren't), and i miss the simplicity, and intensity, of living for God and talking about him with others 24/7. i'm looking forward to your snippets.

[annie lockhart]

AMEN AMARO!

[Veronica TM]

you are full of wonderful surprises, corey! i would love to read more about life in the monastery.

[Alison Whittington]

I think I would have enjoyed living in a monastery, or living a monastic life, for a while. I once dreamed of being a nun. I know now that wasn't the right path for me and I'm no longer religious, but I often still long for the peace and quiet and prayer I always saw in the convents and monasteries I visited (many years of Catholic school retreats).

[tinker]

It may be a romanticized image that I have of monastic life - but it has always fascinated me. I look forward to hearing more about those years of your life, Corey.

[Merisi's Vienna for Beginners]

That last sentence had me in stitches! *giggle*
I hope you did find some great stuff out there in the fields of the Lord, er, flea market.

[Ann]

Yes, you did leave out lots of good story. Make a message to yourself that when the blog idea library runs dry, people want to hear this story. Thanks for your posts. Your friend's daughter is in my prayers.

[Marilyn]

When I was 19, one of the things I least would have wanted to hear about would have been someone's journey living in a monastery. (It would have been hard for me to hear it...what with my head stuck so far up my a**.) At 52, I can hardly imagine anything I'd like to hear more. Do tell...please.