Monastic Way of Life Display
This new display introducing the visitor to our Benedictine way of life is not yet accessible to visitors due to the Pandemic. It is located in the entrance area of the monastery. The display features panels, some interactive, that speak about St. Benedict, the main elements of his Rule that shape our life, the rhythm of our day and the larger liturgical year, some of our work and services here at the priory and some basic questions that people often ask us.
The visitor is likewise invited to explore the various images on the priory chapel door and take a close look at the Nativity Tree, an example of a Christian wood sculpture in ebony from southern Tanzania, one of the mission lands that the monks have evangelized.
Images used with permission of Split Rock Studios
This window features an image of St. Benedict based on a window from the former abbey church of Blue Cloud Abbey, SD. St. Benedict is holding a copy of his Rule with the words: Pray, Read, Work, the three pillars of the monastic day.
Benedictine life follows a day with a set rhythm. At given hours the monks come together for common prayer and work with time for sacred reading and common meals.
This panel is interactive. By turning the wheel the visitor can look at a photo that captures different parts of the monk’s activity during the course of the day. The video monitor on the left shows pictures of celebrations marking the liturgical year, the larger cycle that binds the days together.
The doors of the chapel display scenes taken from the Old Testament that symbolize the coming of the Messiah and the Eucharist. Along the top are seen symbols of the four evangelists whose narratives build on the scenes pictured below.
There is a panel to assist the visitor in identifying the images on the doors.
This panel under the window briefly gives the life of St. Benedict accompanied by copies of illuminations of scenes from his life done through the centuries.
There is a possibility for the visitor to read some lines from the Rule of St. Benedict chosen by the monks of the community.
This panel seeks to show some of the work and ministry that is done by the monks of Christ the King Priory and how this flows from our monastic life.
On the opposite wall is an interactive panel that presents questions people often ask about our life and the answers.
The Nativity Tree: top the chorus of angels announcing the birth of Christ; center: St. Joseph; bottom: Mary with the Child.
This wood sculpture features scenes depicting the Nativity of Jesus along with some selected scenes from the Old Testament. It is the work of woodcarvers of the Makonde people in southern Tanzania, famous for their woodcarving.
A view of the whole area of the monastery entrance with a St. Joseph window taken from a church in Germany that was closed.
Again, the focus on the rhythm of the monastic day whose purpose is to create a balance in the monk’s life. Moderation is considered by Benedict to be key in keeping one’s life on the right path.