No End to the Search

Deacon Mark Plaiss teaches in the department of religious studies at Carmel Catholic High School, Mundelein, Illinois. Since 1997 he has been a monastic associate at New Melleray Abbey, near Dubuque, Iowa. He was ordained deacon in the Roman Catholic Church on June 7, 2003, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in the Diocese of Gary and is currently serving at St. Gilbert Church in Grayslake, Illinois. He tries to pass on the monastic wisdom he has absorbed over the years from New Melleray and other monasteries to his students and parishioners.

• ContentsList of Abbreviations   xiAcknowledgments   xiiiPrelude   xvPART ONE: MonasteriesNew Melleray Abbey   3Abbey of Gethsemani   37Saint Meinrad Archabbey   57PART TWO: MimesisDiscern, Discern, Discern   83Faith   96Prayer   102Scripture   107Oak Barrels   116PART THREE: TelosForest, Indiana   123Coda   163AppendicesA.  New Melleray Antiphonary   164B.  Graduale Triplex   166C.  Daily Schedule for the Three Monasteries   168Bibliography   171

"A unique invitation to see God in community and solitude, in prayer and action, in lay or monastic life. This book is grounded in solid study, both ancient and contemporary, as well as active personal pursuit of spiritual growth."American Benedictine Review