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Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity

11/9/2014

3 Comments

 
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Did you know that the word "monk" means solidarity?  Ever since the beginning of Christianity, there have been those who have received “the call” to be isolated from the outside world and devote themselves completely to God with prayer and worship.  They take four lifelong vows:   Stability – Promise never to leave the monastic life; Obedience – To God, the Abbot and the rules of the order of the monastery;   Chastity – never to marry; Poverty – Never to possess worldly goods.  A Trappist Monastery is located up Ogden Canyon and nestled in a very peaceful valley.  Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity ∙ 1250 South 9500 East Huntsville, Utah 84317 ∙ Telephone: (801) 745-3784 ∙ Fax: (801) 745-6430 ∙ Website: http://www.holytrinityabbey.org/

There is a beautiful rolling mountain scenery as you rise in elevation and if you attend the 8 0’clock mass as I did, you too will see the breathtaking sunrise.  I highly recommend taking this road trip, along with a picnic to eat after mass at Huntsville State Park next to the lake, or go skiing/snowboarding at Snowbasin Resort.   At the end of a long street is the entrance of the


abbey that is clearly reads, “Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity” with a long skinny sign that is topped with a cross.  Traveling halfway down the driveway is a white welcome sign on the left with days and times of services.  Toward the end of this road are large trees on each side of the road that form nature’s canopy followed by a parking lot.  There are areas that visitors are not permitted that are clearly marked with signs and it is our job as visitors to be respectful.

From the parking lot, there is a little white sign on the left of the Quonset hut that houses the gift shop and shows which way the church is with an arrow.  There are two double heavy wooden doors that lead into the nave of the church.  Once inside there are two sections of pews with one main aisle and two side ones.  These pews are towards the back of the church and are behind a roped-off area that is marked for visitors not to cross and go beyond.  The seating for the monks is near the center of the center area and on the left and right so that they face each other.  This area is called the choir and the area where the monks sit is called a stall.  Behind the left side of the stalls are the Stations of the Cross.  Both side walls have large frosted windows that allow plenty of light to pass through.  The main focal point, the stained glass window, cannot be overlooked and is located at the altar in the presbytery.  An exquisite stained glass window of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in beautiful shades of blue and red.  Below the window is the tabernacle covered with a lovely white laced canopy.  The altar table is adorned in white linen and a processional cross to the right. 

There are a few things different that I noticed during mass.  The first one is that the monks do not kneel to pray.  Instead they stand as a sign of respect for the Lord.  There is no processional or recessional or offertory basket.  But, there is a very peaceful, chanting and Holy Spirit filled service.  I feel an intense blessing from God to have visited today.  No words can express my respect for these men and their dedication to Our Lord. 
O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my prayer on behalf of your monks. 
Let the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity continue to be a sign of Your love for all, and a reminder for us to serve You by serving You in one another.  Please continue to send the Spirit of Jesus into their hearts and keep them from pain and suffering as they go about their daily lives.  Amen.

After I returned home from my visit, I found the following sad article regarding the Abbey: 
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865609002/End-of-an-era-Huntsville-bookshop-closing-monastery-not-far-behind.html

Current news regarding the Abbey's property:  http://www.icatholic.org/article/huntsville-abbey-has-been-sold-7818303

Update:  After 70 years, the monastery is now closed and under new ownership.
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Entrance of the monastery driveway
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Left row of choir stalls
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1st Station of the Cross
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Sign about 1/2 way up driveway
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Close-up of the altar
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Stations of the Cross along one side of the rood-screen
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View upon entering
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Right row of choir stalls
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Balcony, pews for visitors and exit/entrance doors
3 Comments
Van link
1/26/2017 11:32:52 am

I like your piece on Holy Trinity Abbey. It says a lot about the monks. I am saddened that the monastery will soon close. It will end an important page in Utah history, Cistercian history, and the history of the Catholic Church.

Reply
Ramon Lavandero link
10/21/2017 10:24:46 am

RadioWest has produced a beautiful 5-minute film to honor the monastery's closing. https://films.radiowest.org/film/monastery

Reply
Gracemarie
10/21/2017 10:06:51 pm

Thank you very much for sharing your amazing film.

Reply

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