Abbey of the Genesee

This past weekend, my wife and I visited my son, Nick, at Geneseo College of SUNY. It was parent’s weekend. While there, we explored the surroundings of this small liberal arts college nestled in the rural Genesee River Valley in western New York. Among our side trips was a visit to the Abbey of the Genesee.

Abbey of the Genesee

The abbey is a community of monks living according to the Rule of St. Benedict who strive to seek God and follow Christ while following a school of brotherly love. The monks dedicate themselves to contemplation while worshipping God in a hidden life within the monastery. To help sustain their lifestyle, the monks bake nine varieties of bread which is sold on the property at their bread store. The bread is appropriately named, “Monk’s Bread.”

I confess (ironic, I am not at confession), I do not follow a traditional religion, although I strive to practice ethical ways and believe in a greater power. The ways of religion intrigue me because I appreciate contemplation. It is one of my favorite ways to spend time. I also appreciate solemness and respect those who worship a greater being. So, I was drawn to the Abbey’s chapel. We (my wife, Elizabeth, and son, Nick) strolled in. We were alone. The tranquil ambiance of the space induced an immediate internal quietude. We sat down and became transfixed. The chapel is a compelling space; a spiritual space.

Here is the western wall of the chapel:

Chapel\’s Western Wall

And the eastern wall:

Chapel\’s Eastern Wall

After some time in the chapel, we strolled outside to witness a monk and fellow citizen praying in the burial ground adjacent to the abbey. I was struck by the simplicity of the markers—we really need no more.

Life\’s Path

7 thoughts on “Abbey of the Genesee”

  1. Beautiful photos and thoughts of this truly spiritual place. It is always inspiring to visit monasteries. However, we also have a spiritual place within us, which we can always return to; no need to seek this sanctuary from afar.

    Really enjoyed all your posts, John. You should think about publishing a book.

    1. Thank you very much, Bessie. I love your notion that we have a spiritual place within us. I recently came across a similar thought suggested by George Fox, founder of the Quaker religion, that we all have an “inner light.” It’s comforting.

  2. Verrrrry beautiful, inspirational. The beauty of the abby is a marvelous expression of spirituality that these monks practice daily. It is a visual prayer of sorts, by it’s design, is a sacred space, that lifts one’s emotions and spirit, an offering to our Creator Spirit. I can only imagine that when monks come here to worship, it switches on an openness, a reverence, even a surrendering of to that unseen power of the Spirit. (something similar happens when I walk into my art studio and further expands in the act of creating) The abby space is a marvelous gift to the public, where people may come in and partake of the ambiance, and inspired, bring that lifted spirit to the world in some form to share (like you have done here). In my thinking, taking one’s lifted spirit to the world where we consciously and mindfully turn ourselves over to “making a difference”, by intentionally acting from a place of love, in sharing and supporting others, cooperation and keeping a positive attitude, we are elevated into a largely unseen connection; it is a connection that engenders a feeling that we are a part of something much larger than ourselves – part of an unseen Network, a Universal Energy that connects us all. Out of this Network there is a “universal truth,” that when we send positive things out to the world, positive things come back to us, multiplied. Send out negative things and negative things are returned to us, multiplied. Thanks for sharing, John. – Jack
    P.S. On my website I have a page devoted to ‘Creating A Powerful Learning Community.” that is not unrelated to this subject. http://web.me.com/finkj/John_Fink_Sculptor_Potter/Powerful_Communities.html

    1. Thank you, Jack, for your thoughtful and insightful response to this entry. I accessed your link and was further delighted with your perceptions of art, spirit, sharing, and an unseen, universal network.

      I like your view that the most important space in which we work is within ourselves—fashioned from our language, thoughts, beliefs, spirit and ideals. You say it is the “only space in which you will ever live and work.” It correlates with Bessie Yu’s comment and George Fox’s notion of an inner spirit; an inner place. With that in mind, we all would likely agree that we don’t need to look far for guidance when creating art that is a true expression of one’s self.

  3. Nice photo, “Life’s Path.” The fence symbolizes life with its smoothness, its roughness, its bends, turns and unknowns along the way, the death of loved ones, then in the end; the ultimate fate.

    We love all of your photography John, very thought provoking. – Robert & Gloria

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