The appeal of the monastic life
In an isolated spot in rural South Island, a small group of monks live frugally, giving up the trappings of the modern world, all in the service of God. Esther AsbyCoventry reports.
Potholes the size of microwave ovens are negotiated along the 7km windy gravel road. The occasional ford wets the bonnet of the 4WD with muddy water on the way to an isolated Geraldine monastery in South Canterbury.
Here, up Te Moana Gorge surrounded by forestry blocks and unoccupied tussocky hills, is a promising New Zealand symphony orchestra violinist. Except this young man has given up the expectations of a professional musical career to live a strict monastic life.
Postulant (candidate) Brother Benedict Lim, 19, is one of seven monks who belong to the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer in New Zealand, alternating between the idyllic contemplative monastery at the back and beyond of Geraldine set on 121 hectares, and their active city monastery in St Albans, Christchurch, to serve the 200 parishioners at each mass.
For the past eight months he has been a postulant, which means he can change his mind about taking vows if he wants to and return to his old life. He has been learning the violin since the age of five, and from the age of seven was tutored by pre-eminent university violin lecturer Stephen Larsen.
At this stage Brother Benedict has no plans to stop his monastic journey, though he did miss playing in the orchestra when he first arrived. ‘‘There are other things to think about. I love it.’’
Like St Paul of the Bible, Brother Benedict has left all things to follow his Lord. He used to attend the Catholic Church with his family and decided he wanted to know more.
He said his family were happy for him and when he has time off he still plays his violin in worship.
The monks, all from middleclass backgrounds, made the choice to serve God, waking at 4.55am six days a week to start their day of prayers, readings, study, building, chores, cooking, and serving their parishioners by offering the sacraments and pastoral care. Their only day off is Thursday.
Each week on a Wednesday and Thursday the three monks living off-grid in the wilderness up the gorge, swap with the other four in Christchurch and vice versa.
The order, which is dependent on donations, bought the Mt Saint Joseph Kakahu property in 2017, and have since added a chapel, made in Geraldine, and converted the shearing shed into six bedrooms. The monks are also in the process of building unattached ‘‘cells’’ for more monks they hope will join up and expect to have them completed by the end of winter with the help of tradespeople.
Running the monastery on solar power; and gas or the log burner for cooking, the monks live
a simple life. A back-up converted lawnmower generator is on hand for emergencies or when it is cloudy. They tend a vegetable garden, run a few sheep and cattle. With a nod to technology there is a landline, but no TV or radio. It has reached -5C there already this year, and dipped to -8C last year.
They have plans to build a monastery complex 850 metres up Mt Saint Joseph, from which 360-degree views take in the Port Hills in Christchurch, the Four Peaks, forestry blocks, the Fairlie basin and the Southern Alps.
Brother Raphael is a novice (prospective member) and has another year before deciding whether to take his vows. He joined about a year ago because he felt it was the right thing to do. His life up to then he felt did not have the meaning that embracing his faith so fully has.
Though he misses his family he has heaven in his sights and does not think anything else matters.
He is 39, was born in Wellington and moved to Sydney in 1995. He worked in sales for a cardboard company.
Father Anthony brought the Catholic order, which was established in Scotland in 1988, to New Zealand with Brother Paul, who lives a secluded life on the Geraldine property.
‘‘I wanted to follow the more austere way of life, it was appealing to me. We use Latin in mass, it is a sacred language consecrated by the church. Because it is a dead language the meaning does not change.’’
At seminary, he did not belong to an order and to join meant divesting himself of everything he owned.
‘‘I’m doing God’s will for me by answering God’s call. It’s a life of obedience and sacrifice with the recompense of receiving eternal life.’’
He took the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience when almost 30 years ago he was ordained.
Brought up in Zimbabwe, at the age of 13 he felt a calling from God to become a priest. ‘‘It was an internal awareness and knowledge.’’
He ended up studying to be a priest in Switzerland for seven years. Subjects covered were spirituality and learning about prayer for one year, philosophy for two years and four years of theology (God and his revelation).
‘‘I have never regretted it. It was not hard to not have children. All the faithful at church are a family of a different type.’’
Following the strict rules and prescribed daily schedule can be a challenge. He said they all have to work on conquering their nature which is ‘‘not naturally good, we have to learn to be good’’. The priest has no desire to get drunk ever or indulge in any other bawdy behaviour.
‘‘I’m happy, totally content. I would not want to be anything else. It’s very rewarding working with the faithful. We work with the amazing grace of God, we’re just instruments. In reality, God created us, loves us and wants us to be happy in this world and more importantly the world to come.’’
Father Anthony thinks many people have no perception of who God is and blames the devil for distracting this generation with noise and gadgets.
‘‘It prevents people thinking. You need silence to contemplate and communicate with God. He leaves us with a free will. He won’t force himself upon us. Look at the universe. It has billions of galaxies created by God. How amazing he must be.’’
‘‘I wanted to follow the more austere way of life, it was appealing to me.’’ Father Anthony