Comments From Former Associates

May the peace and grace of Jesus Christ be with you and the Monks at Blue Cloud.  I pray that all is well at the Abbey. I wanted to thank you and the Brothers/Priests for your wonderful hospitality during my visit as a lay associate.  Upon my initial arrival, Brother Michael provided a tour of the monastery and we stopped and discussed the artwork containing the representations of  Sts. Benedict and Scholastica and how Blue Cloud fully carries out Rule concerning hospitality.  As soon as I arrived, I felt like a member of the community and everyone was very friendly.  After spending two weeks at the Abbey, it was wonderful to see the great hospitality of the Monks at the Abbey. The daily schedule at Blue Cloud was very beneficial with the excellent balance between prayer, work and Lectio.  The Liturgy of the Hours was very spiritual and the pauses between the Psalms allowed for a period of reflection and meditation - this is wonderful since it provides time to reflect on the Psalm just recited or chanted rather than rushing on to the next Psalm immediately.
My experience at the Monastery was great!!!  I felt like Blue Cloud was truly a place where I could seek God and fully live out a live serving our Lord. Rick

A true gift was received from the Blue Cloud community members, offered through the associate program. They take you in, to live, work, and pray with them twenty-four hours a day. This gathering place encouraged a free and diverse prayer experience. . . .
The Associate program experience can be summed up as one of hospitality and healing. The meals were a "full" three meals a day, and very tasty... The community members were very friendly and welcoming, offering fellowship and good conversation. I especially enjoyed the story readings during evening meals. Learning about the life experiences of a monk priest during dishwashing duties was a treasured privilege. Kevin, 37 years old, from Washington State

I am a 43 year old teacher for the visually impaired living in New Hampshire. My information on Blue Cloud Abbey came from the Catholic Guide to Ministries and the Internet. A meeting with Father Denis Quinkert followed and my adventure began in July 2003.
As an associate at Blue Cloud I lived a basic monastic life. It was an uplifting and sanctifying experience. I played, worshipped, worked and ate with the monks. Time is spent daily in Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) daily along with the rest of the daily activities to achieve a balance. I got to know a number of monks on a personal level and found them to be warm, congenial and interesting people.
I made a 3 day silent retreat and was able to clear the cobwebs out of a challenging year at school. I feel honored and blessed by my time spent with the monks at Blue Cloud Abbey. Dave, 43 years old, from Hew Hampshire

Associate Ryan wrote this poem during his stay at Blue Cloud Abbey:

top a hill confined by prairie ocean of brown grass waves of rolling knolls greetings from blue cloud wind rattles roof over head as I sleep when I wake I step outside monastic enclosure when I wake watch wild turkeys descend from a tree to the east red horizon line arches against dark blue sky trying to rise snow flakes settle on needles of pine (continue top next column)

sense source of this stripped soul lends credit to the earth lifts praise to the land in land lauds laughing laughing laughing time marked by hours marked by bells marked by laughing obedience to solitude I stop I breathe I smile Ryan, 24 years old, from Oregon

As an associate, I was welcomed with great kindness into the community and taken into the deliberate and peaceful way of life by all of the monks. I made Good progress in my prayer life, matured a great deal in my faith, and moved down the road of my discernment.
This deliberate and steady pace of life at the abbey gave me the time and the state of mind to reflect on my life thus far and to rearrange my priorities putting a relationship with my Creator first on the list. This, I feel has prepared me to enter the world again with a slightly different outlook. One that will hopefully keep me focused on that goal. This "fast" from the world, allowed me to discover new things about myself, new ways of expressing my faith, and new ways of understanding my discernment. The peaceful and accepting atmosphere of Blue Cloud, along with the structure of life is a wonderful place for this and demands only openness to God and to the wisdom that the monks have to offer. Leon, 19 years old, from Maine

I went to Blue Cloud Abbey with hopes of cracking the mysteries of the men that lived there. I was soon disappointed with how truly un-mysterious these men were. Soon, however, a new mystery began to take shape: the mystery of me. Through praying, working, and recreating with the monks of Blue Cloud, clarity of self-vision began to emerge. The distractions of life began to slip away, and I was able to look at who I had been before arriving at the Abbey. A life full of regrets for the past and worries about the future slowly evolved into a joyful acceptance of the present. The balanced schedule of prayer, work, and recreation established a foundation of peace on which my life can now be grown. John, 31 years old, from South Dakota

I met the most fascinating people while staying at Blue Cloud Abbey.  Some counseled and encouraged me, some blessed me, some taught me to how to mop the floor.  All were kind, and all taught me something important about what is termed "monastic life." Each one affected me in his or her own unique way, helping me along my own spiritual journey.
I'm grateful to the people at Blue Cloud: the priests, the brothers, the other Associates and those who work there or were on retreat. In sharing their work, their prayers, their "lectio" and their laughter, they ultimately shared what I imagine is the essence of St. Benedict himself.
I know God will bless my new friends at Blue Cloud Abbey, as He blessed me by bringing me into their presence. I pray many others will come to share in this same blessing! Joe, 49 years old, from Michigan

I had visited/looking at another Benedictine Monastery this past Advent for 2 weeks, working and praying with them. The Spirit brought me into contact with one of their volunteers who had been one of Blue Cloud's associates! He asked me what I was looking for within a community. I shared I was looking for a Benedictine Community that followed the Rule of Saint Benedict closely, one that offers a formation program, and one that allows for one's graced gifts from God to be used and to help nurture these gifts and one's journey & mission through life.  He highly suggested I go and visit Blue Cloud Abbey! He also shared Blue Cloud Abbey has had some involvement with the Native Americans in the past (This too caught my own personal attention!). He said I would not regret creating the time to visit Blue Cloud Abbey and he was correct ! Praise God! John Patrick,  40 years old, from Texas

Thanks for your part in the past four weeks of my life. From day one, I have felt welcome and wholly included in community life here at Blue Cloud... This month has truly been a blessing. Being renewed by prayer... freezing during saunters into the absurd Dakota winter... such experiences will be hard to forget... The Associate Program is a wonderful encounter for men looking for something more... I hope to incorporate the sort of spirituality I learned here into my life 'out-there'. Thanks again. Geoffrey, 26 years old, from Maryland

I have been telling my friends about Blue Cloud and all the wonderful monks and associates. Crispin, 41 years old, from Kansas

I was just beginning to settle into a rhythm as I found my way around the place (Blue Cloud Abbey) and got to know a few people. Please pass along my gratitude and blessings to the entire community. Everyone was very kind and welcoming throughout my brief visit. I wish everyone there good health and peace. Michael,  50 years old, from Kentucky

Two things have I discovered later in life that I ignored or denied as a younger adult.  One is my need for community; the other, my longing for spirituality.  In my later-but far from late-life, Blue Cloud Abbey has provided me an opportunity to live in community and nurture my spirituality.  With a foundation built with the assistance of members of this community, I pray that I may continue to build strong a spiritual life with others outside the Abbey. Todd, 50 years old, North Carolina

I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in the Associate program at Blue Cloud Abbey. It afforded me the opportunity to experience the monastic way of life first hand, especially daily prayers; morning praise, day prayer, the Mass, vespers and vigils along with the other monks. It also helped me to discern if I have a calling to the religious life.
During my stay I was able to search deep inside myself not only to get closer to God but to take a more objective look at my life; to see not only where I was going but to really get a sense of what direction I wanted to take.
I am glad that I got the chance to meet the members of the community and I appreciate their willingness to share their home with me. I would recommend Blue Cloud's Associate program, not only to those trying to discern if they have a religious vocation, but also to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing the monastic life first hand.
John, 48 yrs old, from Arizona

I came to Blue Cloud Abbey to examine what my call in life was . . . . I needed some time away from outside influences so I could focus on my relationship with God. The Abbey is a perfect place to achieve that goal. The strong community and daily work kept me humble and focused on others' needs. . . . My journey has been enriched by my life at Blue Cloud.
Seamus, 19 yrs old, from Maine

I had been visiting the Abbey for nine years before deciding to see what the monastic life was really like by becoming an associate. I have done many things as an associate: gave a vocal recital, played the recorder and organ for liturgical services, made an Easter Candle and helped to construct a roof and a new room. I was so impressed with the life of Christ in the community that I decided to join. Today I am a Brother Novice at Blue Cloud.
Michael, 28 yrs old, from Minnesota

When I graduated from high school in London, I was looking for a volunteer program that would take me way from home for a few months. I stumbled on the Blue Cloud Abbey associate program more or less by accident. The four months I spent . . . were truly one of the most marvelous periods of my life. The monks and other associates were truly wonderful people. The work was interesting and useful. My faith was deepened in a way I didn't even think was possible. I learnt so much from living in a community of true brotherhood and love, a lesson I hope never to forget. If you become an associate, you will naturally think about becoming a monk. But I had a girlfriend when I came and she is still with me now. I would recommend the associate program to anybody as a truly life-changing experience.
Daniel, 19 yrs old, from London, England

I first heard of Blue Cloud from our Sunday Visitor paper at my parish . . . I called and was told to come for a visit. It was a challenge - enjoyable challenge - searching for God in solitude, commitment to prayer and work. It was nothing as I expected, it was more. I decided to join and was accepted this past February to become a Brother Novice.
Don, 32 yrs old, from Washington State

In my initial experiences as an Associate of Blue Cloud Abbey, I have been very touched by their open welcome, the sense of homecoming upon return, and the simple humility of all the monks, who have captured the essence of Benedict's rule in their prayerful and playfully serious living out of their calling. This, in the vast expanse of Dakota, brings one close to God as well as the spirit of the Desert Fathers and Native American prairie-dwellers. In a quiet and sincere manner, the community of Blue Cloud has put Christ at their center, and I was refreshed in spirit as I joined in the work, prayer, and common table.
Gawaine (Ph.D.), 48 yrs old, from Missouri

I found the Associate Program through the Internet. It provided me an environment to perceive Christ's presence in community. There is at Blue Cloud a community of support in which we help one another by our love for one another within our daily work . . . . It was a marvelous way to share charity, compassion, and contemplative dimension of life to many guests and with one another.
Jerry, 48 yrs old, from San Diego, CA

My time at the abbey gave me a look into myself, allowing me to experience with the monks their way of life. Which has changed me for life. How I see my place in the world can never be the same. It is now so exciting and life affirming. There is no choice but to go forward with the Trinity as my guide and inspiration.
Paul, 32 years old, from Canada