Just got back from Engelberg. Yesterday evening before Compline, the Abbot of Einsielden reminded me that Engelberg is a grandaughter of Einsiedeln, being founded from Muri Gries in 1120 ... so they're more in the family than I thought. It was a wonderful visit, and would have been a wonderful scenic trip all the way around if it weren't raining all day. But even though I couldn't see mountains, the valleys and such are vibrant shades of green. Since the train never fails to lull me to sleep, I could nap today and not miss anything. I did manage to wake, though, for the climb up the mountain, so I could look out my window and see the straight drop down into the woods.
Father Thomas was my guide ... he knows a number of our monks from when he was a student in Rome, and he had studied for some time at Georgetown in Washington, DC. Needless to say, his English is perfect. He gave me quite a complete tour, with a break for Midday Prayer and Meal with the Community. Among other things, I saw a book in their Library that was scortched in the great fire of 17-somethingorother. It was a day well spent.
Here "at home" yesterday I got a more extended tour of the House, and then after Vespers I was given a private tour of the Sacristy and treasury. The really old, really valuable stuff is in a basement vault, in an amazing system of collapsible shelves. There is a vestment that is over 1000 years old, and vessels set with precious stones that were sent to Austria for safe keeing during the French Revolution.
So much history in these two Houses ... and all of it is, in a way, my own.
Oh yeah, the raspberry torte from the bakery in Engleberg this morning was quite tasty.
No comments:
Post a Comment