Tuesday, October 17, 2017

MT. ANGEL ABBEY

Today a dear friend of mine took me to see the Mt. Angel Abbey. I had never been there or even heard of it before.  In 1882 a small group of Benedictine monks arrived in Oregon to found an abbey similar to the one they had left behind high in the Alpine village of Engelberg, Switzerland. Five years later they founded Mount Angel College, and shortly thereafter, they founded a seminary, whose priest alumni have since served millions of Catholics. They also established the Benedictine Press (no longer in existence) and a library, which has grown into one of the most significant theological libraries in the Pacific Northwest. The grounds were so peaceful and natural, and it was such a beautiful day to stroll through the grounds and the abbey church. Of course, I took photographs.
I loved the statues around the garden and this unique tree as I looked up to the branches.
The tall bell tower has 8 cast bronze bells to call the monks to prayer. Each bell is named after a saint, and the largest weighs more than 4 tons! They are the largest free swinging bells on the West coat.
Lots of bricks went in to making the buildings.
This Martin Ott pipe organ in the choir loft has 2,478 pipes! 
This is the seating area for the monks.
A unique feature of decoration inside.
Lots of tiny tiles create the floor.
Everything there was so calm, quiet and peaceful.  
I had such a wonderful time there!

29 comments:

  1. Good to hear you are having fun. No pics of you?

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  2. So beautiful. I bet a whole lot of peace and serenity came over you to visit this gorgeous place. The history and the beauty is wonderful. Have a great new week Rose.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. It was so peaceful there. I felt like I had to whisper!

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  3. Beautiful shots. I've never been to the Abbey despite having lived in Woodburn for most of my young life. It's lovely! Thanks for sharing. Alice

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    1. It was nice to spend part of a day there with a good friend.

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  4. Very interesting pictures.That old tree is something unique.

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    1. I have no idea what kind of tree it is, but loved its look.

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  5. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. Love the Angels and the lovely, tiled floors. xx K

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    1. Angels were lovely! It as so peaceful I felt like I should whisper!

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  6. We went there with our car club last spring. Very interesting place.

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    1. It is an interesting place. I was amazed at the size of their library. Quite a few old texts.

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  7. You are such a magnet for beauty, Rose. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. There is beauty in every place I go and every day I live.

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  8. Just like being in Europe, with its architecture and statues. Lynnette

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    1. It was very much like what we saw in Europe.

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  9. The Mt. Angel Benedictine Monastery is a "sister" community to the one in northern Idaho, where I was a nun. The photos bring back a ton of memories and a nostalgia for the beauty of the place.

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    1. I did not know that! They have quite a massive library there!

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  10. Looks like a lovely place to visit. Churches are such peaceful places. The Benedictine Monks came to Australia also. Have a fabulous weekend.

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  11. The pictures are beautiful; this is a place I love. I hope the next time you go you can visit the library. It is also a beautiful piece of architecture by a famous architect whose name escapes me at the moment, but from a librarian's point of view I always felt it was the best designed library I've ever seen and I wish I might have worked there at some time.

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    1. We did spend about an hour in the library. They had some old books there! I could not figure out their filing system as was not L of C or Dewey Decimal.

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  12. Very beautiful place inside and out Rose. I enjoyed learning about it.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. I was surprised that I had not already been there!

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  13. Glad you went with your friend and had such a fine time. The pictures are lovely and the statues remind me of a Chapel in MO built in the 1800 don't know exact year. It had nuns who lived there. Love Mom

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  14. It's a beautiful place, thanks for sharing it with us.

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  15. It was lovely and a perfect day!

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