Aug 24 2007
(Vacation = Vocation) ∨ (Vocation = Vacation)
An interesting story….
Apparently, many Italians are retreating for vacation! They truly do have great taste, eh?
UPDATE Perhaps the Italians have read this or listened to his words as quoted here.
Great taste always, but this smells a bit of “it’s the latest fad.”
Just so they can say, “Been there, done that, got the hairshirt, to prove it.”
And I can criticise the sincerity of Italians since I am one, and still have relatives there.
Dear Puff,
I will let you do that.
So, then, are you suggesting that convents and monasteries can sell, “My friend went to ___________ and all I got was this stinkin’ hairshirt” hairshirts?
ROTFLOL.
Okay, I’m back.
Bro AJK,
I hadn’t gone that far in my thinking, but if there is nothing preventing such sales in their Rules and the shirts are in good taste, if not comfort, why not? Fatima Shrine (Basilica now, I think) in Youngstown New York, has a gift shop, that’s almost as big as the Basilica itself, selling everything from key chains to Holy Water Fonts; so why shouldn’t convents, abbeys, monasteries, and nunneries, and any other religious Houses sell mementos.
Dear Puff,
Of course you wouldn’t. That type of shirt is poor taste, period.
It has been a very long time since I’ve been to the shrine in Youngstown. I think I’ve only been there once.
Don’t knock it, the convents and monasteries probably need the money.
Dear Sharon,
As a religious, I am glad when people make retreats. I would not mock it. It does seem odd, though, because I don’t know if I, before I entered, would have dared thought that I could vacation at a monatery. Retreat, yes; vacation, no.
Okay,
I concede your point re the sale of souvenirs by the monasteries. Can we agree that the monasteries will decide for themselves if and what they might sell for themselves, and pray that they do not betray their Rules?
As for monasteries offering “retreats,” to help the vacationer re-juvinate their spirits, or just offer a place of peace and tranquility for the guest to “Be still and know that HE is God,” offers the tired soul respite from this very material world. (Ah now I understand, the sales of souvenirs would run contrary to this very concept.)
My criticism was not the monasteries, but rather some, not all the vacationers might not attend for purely, -ah the proper word escapes me, so I will say – pious reasons.
Might I enquire, if it is not too impertinent: To what Order do you belong?
Dear Puff,
Remember, it was I who mentioned the kitsch, not you.
I also concur with you regarding the concern about motivations when the average person decides to vacation at a monastery. Is it spiritual renewal, a retreat from society for a few days, or is it the “Been there, done that” idea you mentioned earlier.