Hello, Coffee Talkers! Can you believe this? I can barely believe it myself. I am writing on ye dusty olde blogge once again because for the first time in forever I AM ON A RETREAT!!! This is the first day that St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo has reopened to the public and I am here on an overnight private retreat. I didn’t bring anything with me except totally essential items and didn’t plan on blogging but once I got here I knew I needed to write something so I just lucked out and remembered the password to log in to this non-user friendly blogging site on my phone and here we all are together again! The formatting options on this version are beyond awful so don’t mind the messy presentation of pics and text to give you a sneak peek to the abbey, reopened! (Edited to add: I don’t think the pictures are showing up at all on the published version from my phone, so try to use your imagination for now if that’s the case, hahaha)
I went to this Abbey many times as a child with my grandparents back when they had annual festivals that were open to families and have lots of fond memories from those time. I came here a few other times through the years as an adult with groups for day retreats, but it’s been many years since I’ve visited. There were several factors that made it uncertain if or when I’d be able to return. Not only was the Abbey closed for an extended period of time due to the pandemic but it also narrowly escaped the clutches of a ravaging fire, which even came so close as to leave the sign at the entryway darkened by flames and smoke. Words fall short of describing how happy and grateful I am to be here again!
Today was the first day of their reopening to the public. There were a number of people who joined for midday Mass, a few of us here on private retreat, a group who waited 16 months to be here, and of course the monks. There are people from all different places and from all different faith backgrounds joining together here in a spirit of fellowship, reflection, simplicity, sacred silence, and prayer.
(For those wondering, they are currently requiring vaccination for those on overnight retreats and joining for meals due to current guidelines but anyone can come for Mass and prayer, etc. regardless of vaccination status.)
The grounds are so full of beauty and peace, a mix of desert flora and fauna with some greenery and a pond with fish and ducks as well. The beautiful Abbey angel artwork can still be seen throughout the grounds and building. Also, many of us have certain signs and symbols that appear throughout life to remind us of the presence of the divine and for me one of them is the number 13. Look what room I got!
After evening prayer and dinner, I found a lovely spot to sit and do some reading before compline. It was just across from this neat old phone booth (which looks like it may still work!). After compline and singing the Salve Regina (which took me back fondly to my days with the Dominicans of St. Cecilia in a life long ago and far away) I stayed in the chapel alone for a while to finish my reading, reflecting, and prayer.
Y’all, this past year and half have seemed like a lifetime in some ways but the return to previous ways of living certainly can bring gratitude if we can take a moment to pause, to breathe, to reflect. Thanks to my husband for making this possible! If you’re anything like me and you’re craving some peace, silence, and a bit of a spiritual reboot, maybe a retreat can be on your agenda as well. It’s been amazing so far!
If you’re reading this, know that I’ve said a special prayer for you and whatever intentions you hold close to your heart at this time. May grace and peace be with you and yours.
As always, thanks for stopping by and be assured of my prayers.
Pax et bonum,
Leslie
