Monastic Life Experience Program Conducted

by the Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey

The Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey opened a 'First Monastic Life Experience Program' from December 11 to 13, 2009 at its Retreat House. This program was aimed at the elderly to show them how to pray and work according to the Saint Benedictine's teaching "Ora et Labora", through the experience of religious life.

For three days, in wearing religious habit, the participants experienced the religious life, by praying the Divine Office, meditating and attending the Holy Mass with the Benedictine religious, and learned Gregorian chants. They also learned how to pray and work through lectures on 'Ora et Labora' and 'Lectio Divina'.

"In our busy and complicated modern life", said Father Gregory Lee Seok-jin, Director of the Retreat House, "it is easy to forget God or become estranged from Him. I hope this program will be a precious opportunity for the participants to make a closer approach to God".

A female participant from Seoul said that she felt her soul purified from so many conflicts and dregs of life and expressed her desire to live a good and serene life.

A 49 year old male participant, a Buddhist, said, "I have been constantly interested in religious life because I have acquired the knowledge of religious orders through books or movies. This experience of religious life gave me a good opportunity to understand another religion more deeply".

The Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey plans to conduct a similar program for the youth as well as for the elderly twice a year.