When Joining a Monastery Seemed Appealing

I read a book in February called "The Emotionally Healthy Church, Updated and Expanded Edition: A Strategy for Discipleship That Actually Changes Lives" by Peter Scazzero and Warren Bird. In it they discussed going to a monastery to refocus your center.

It was during this time that I was alienated from my children and felt a great loss of purpose in my life. What was the point of all my money if I did not have my children? As a new single, I suddenly felt that the monk life seemed appealing. I probably would had done a week retreat had there been a Benedictine Monastery that spoke English in Puerto Rico.





One of the concepts that stuck was a routine of prayer throughout the day.

I discovered The Trinity Mission (https://thetrinitymission.org/) and found it to be the most fitting to my preferences for a regular prayer schedule. The 20 minute length in the morning was perfect to listen to while I made breakfast and ate.

For lunch, I would listen as well.

For dinner, they have an evening session.

For the night, I would read through the Catholic Compline (http://universalis.com/compline.htm).

The routine was helpful along with the constant reminder of God's presence.

I now only do breakfast and after dinner, but this will be a routine I will maintain for the rest of my life. All things on Earth will ultimately die or fade away, and if I'm not framed on the eternal, the inevitable tragedies I have yet to face will debilitate me.