In the Spirit of Happiness: Wisdom for Living Book

In 1966, a group of Byzantine Rite Franciscan friars moved away from their order to form a new community. Led by one Father Laurence, the monks wanted to form an order based on "authentic" principles--i.e., on the original asceticism of early monastic fathers such as Pachomius and Anthony of Egypt, ascetics from the late third century AD.Skete, in the northern Egyptian desert, had one of the earliest Christian monastic settlements, and it's from here that Father Laurence and his group took the name "New Skete". After one false start in a noisy neighbourhood, the monks of New Skete moved to the idyllic setting of Two-Top Mountain in White Creek, a densely wooded part of up state New York. Three years later--during which time they built their own monastery and out-buildings--the monks were joined by a small group of contemplative nuns who themselves went on to build their own attached community. Male-female monastic settlements were not uncommon amongst the early Christian founders and New Skete demonstrates how successful these settlements might have been. The monks and nuns are celibate, but New Skete also contains a married couples' community which began in 1982. The monks support themselves variously: they breed German Shepherd dogs; offer obedience training for dogs of all breeds; sell smoked cheeses and meats; and publish liturgical books and music. The nuns have a thriving cheesecake business and produce liturgical vestments and icons.In the Spirit of Happiness is a window on the world of New Skete, on its spirituality, ancient heritage and wisdom. The monks may well be secluded but they're not hermits. Their collective reflections, told with one, unnamed voice, are startling in their illumination of modern-day concerns and inspirational with regard to the ways in which calm contemplation can be brought into every day life. --Lucas LoBlackRead More