Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity

It's too easy to get caught up in the busy lifestyle our generation has created for itself, so hard to find a peaceful place to repose. There is a small community of 21 men in Utah who have dedicated their entire lives to feeling and promoting that peace that comes through a life dedicated to serving God.

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah, is probably best-known for its Trappist Creamed Honey. According to the Abbey's Web site:

"Trappist Creamed Honey is a specialty of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity. It is a fine blend of Utah honey and various flavors calculated to satisfy a variety of tastes. It is crystallized to a consistency like that of butter or margarine. It makes a good spread for bread, toast, pancakes or waffles, and is a good topping for baked goods and bagels. It can be used to sweeten coffee, tea and hot cereal."

Don't go there just to buy honey, though, or you'll be missing out on the best part of the experience: getting to understand the life of a monk. The Retreat House in the monastery is open for any man, Catholic or not, who wants to feel the peace of a monk's life. Women who wish for this same experience can go into the Family Guest House when it is not being used by the monks themselves.

Further than this, however, is the option to reserve a private room in the Retreat House for up to 3 days free of charge (although a donation would be wise). The retreater can spend time reading religious books and pamphlets in the Abbey library, or choose to dedicate his time to prayer.

"For newcomers the transition from life in today’s fast-paced and stressful American society to the slowed-down, quiet way of life at Holy Trinity Abbey can be disorienting. Some call it liberating. Although we are not completely cut off from society, we deliberately withdraw from many features of city life, even good ones, for the sake of our religious practices. Monks do not pretend to live in the Middle Ages, free of modern technology and totally self-sufficient, but monks do filter and restrict their contacts with contemporary society."

See the monks praying here.