Key Takeaways
- Kopua Monastery, a Trappist monastery in New Zealand, has been home to 87-year-old Father Nicholas for 60 years.
- The monastery follows the Rule of St Benedict, emphasizing contemplation, silence, and manual labor.
- The number of monks at Kopua Monastery has declined significantly over the years, from 27 to just six today.
- The monastery welcomes visitors from all denominations and offers a peaceful and tranquil environment for prayer, rest, and reflection.
- The monks at Kopua Monastery engage in manual labor, including gardening and farming, to support themselves and live a self-sufficient life.
Introduction to Kopua Monastery
Kopua Monastery, located in New Zealand, is a Trappist monastery that has been home to 87-year-old Father Nicholas for 60 years. Father Nicholas arrived at the monastery in his 20s, after traveling from Holland to study and work with his brother. He has been living a life of contemplation, prayer, and manual labor, following the Rule of St Benedict. The monastery is known for its peaceful and tranquil environment, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
A Life of Contemplation and Prayer
The six monks at Kopua Monastery pray seven times a day, starting at 4am and ending at 8pm. They also observe periods of silence, which is an essential part of their spiritual practice. Father Nicholas explains that the purpose of silence is to listen to God and to deepen one’s contemplation. He also notes that the practice of silence has become more relaxed over the years, and that it is not as strict as it used to be. The monks at Kopua Monastery believe that silence is essential for spiritual growth and that it allows them to focus on their prayer and contemplation.
The Decline of Monastic Life
Kopua Monastery has experienced a significant decline in the number of monks over the years. At its peak, the monastery had 27 monks, but today there are only six. Father Nicholas attributes this decline to a lack of vocations and a decrease in interest in monastic life. He notes that many monasteries around the world are struggling to attract new members and that some are even closing due to a lack of personnel. This decline is not unique to Kopua Monastery, but is a trend that is being seen in many monasteries around the world.
A New Generation of Monks
Despite the decline in numbers, Kopua Monastery is still attracting new members. Brother Aelred, a newer addition to the monastery, arrived in 2018 from the Philippines. He is passionate about growing food and oversees a large vegetable garden, as well as a number of chickens and ducks. Brother Aelred enjoys the monastic life at Kopua Monastery, which he believes is conducive to a life of prayer and silence. He notes that the monastery provides a peaceful and tranquil environment, which is essential for spiritual growth and contemplation.
Welcoming Visitors
Kopua Monastery has a long tradition of welcoming visitors from all denominations. The monastery has a modern guesthouse, which was built in 2007 and sees hundreds of people stay every year. Father Nicholas notes that the guesthouse provides an opportunity for visitors to experience a peaceful and tranquil environment, which is spacious and holy. The monastery welcomes people from all walks of life, whether they are seeking prayer, rest, or reflection. The monks at Kopua Monastery believe that their door is open to everybody, and that they provide a unique and special experience for all who visit.
A Self-Sufficient Life
The monks at Kopua Monastery engage in manual labor to support themselves and live a self-sufficient life. They have a large vegetable garden, as well as a number of chickens and ducks, which provide them with food and other essential resources. Father Nicholas notes that the monks are encouraged to work with their own hands, and that this is an essential part of their spiritual practice. The monastery’s self-sufficiency is a key aspect of their way of life, and allows them to live a simple and contemplative life, free from the distractions of the world.
