New Camaldoli Hermitage SPRING 2017 CONTEMPLATION IN ACTION “The mysticism of compassion does not aim at a blind experience of God that is devoted exclusively to one’s own interiority, but to the disruptive experience that occurs when dealing with others, in the dynamics of interpersonal encounters, face to face. This is an experience that is mystical and political at the same time.” ~ Johann Baptist Metz pages 2–7 IN THIS ISSUE 2 Message from the Prior: A Time of Need and Gratitude 2 In Memoriam: Br. Emmanuel Wassinger, OSB Cam 3 Br. Emmanuel: Stories Gathered Along the Way 4 Contemplation in Action 5–6 Subversive Orthodoxy—Robert Inchausti 7–9 Reflections ­­ on a Comtemplative Life in Action 10 Becoming Shelter—Deborah Smith Douglas 11 Spirituality with Open Eyes—Prior General Alessandro Barban quoting Johann Baptist Metz 12 World Day of Peace—Fr. Cyprian Consiglio 13 Oblates and Contemplation in Action— Fr. Robert Hale 13 Vita Monastica 14 Monastery of the Risen Christ 14 Development 15 Activities and Visitors 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 • 831 667 2456 • www.contemplation.com 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 • 831 667 2456 • www.contemplation.com Message From the Prior In Memoriam: Br. Emmanuel A Time of Need and Gratitude Wasinger, OSB Cam As many of you know by now, the central coast of California was walloped by an atmospheric river of rain this winter, which destroyed sections of Highway 1 and badly damaged our own entrance road. Our property is right in the middle of the most fragile part of the coast, and the worst damage to Highway 1, called Paul’s Slide, was just south of our own entry road. So we were totally cut off at several points from all comings and goings. Even now we locals can only leave the coast and reenter during short windows each early morning and evening during shift changes in the construction crews. This risk of precarious isolation is part of living in a wild remote place like Big Sur and what being “a place apart” entails. It is also part of the special beauty that people love about the Hermitage, and why guests and retreat- ants keep coming back. The community here at the Hermitage, monks and our loyal staff, have been “holding this space” through the storms and rockslides not just for ourselves but for the sake of our larger circle of friends, oblates, and fellow monastics near and far. These months have actually been a good experi- ence for us. Since we were adequately stocked for fuel and provisions, we rode out the storms and have not minded the extra silence and solitude, with little to keep us from our prayer and meditation. It has also been an Our beloved Brother Emmanuel, age 89, died opportunity to reconnect with our neighbors and bond with new ones, serenely early morning March 6 at the Windsor especially those who were stranded when we were. care facility in Monterey. He had had a heart attack ten days previously and was airlifted to Recent photograph of Paul’s a hospital in Salinas, but he never fully recov- Slide on Highway 1 just ered. He was joyful to the end. below the Hermitage. You can see the roadwork and erosion control required. Richard Wasinger was born October 14, 1927, The Hermitage’s own entry to a German-speaking household on the family road appears in the upper farm near Loretto, Kansas. In his last days he left hand corner of the often spoke dreamily of Kansas and the wheat photo. The Hermitage’s road fields. He became a Benedictine monk, taking has been itself critically dam- aged, and the photo shows the name Joseph, at Holy Cross Abbey, Canon how the active slide (and City, Colorado, making first vows in 1957. He roadwork) continues to be a then followed his novice master, Fr. Joseph jeopardy to the Hermitage’s Diemer, to New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big road as well. Sur in 1965, seeking a more contemplative life. Photo courtesy of Madonna He was always a warm and friendly presence Construction via Caltrans. and was very dedicated to the Eucharist, the Divine office, and also to the Rosary and Way However, hospitality is our primary source of income, and not being able of the Cross. He delighted in taking care of our to receive guests for nearly three months has already been a huge financial generators (which provide all our electricity), blow. So like many others here on the coast, we need help getting through maintaining and operating the heavy equip- this season of destruction and reconstruction. They have already begun ment, and keeping our roads clear, as well as the work of rebuilding Highway 1 just below us, only after which we will occasionally planting corn. He is also remem- need to figure out the best way to repair our own road, which we expect bered for having a special kinship with nature, to be an enormous, costly project. You may perhaps have already seen animals, plants, and even the weather. our extra electronic appeal for donations; if you have already responded we are deeply grateful. If you have not, please consider giving now at Despite the slides and road closures, we were www.gofundme.com/newcamaldolirelief so that we can continue to able to bring Br. Emmanuel’s body back and hold this space for everyone. celebrate his funeral and burial on March 17. He is survived by his sister Bernadette and Blessings, thanks, and prayers, brother Edwin, and a nephew, Shane, who is a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. 2 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage contemplation.com ~ 3 “Today oil poured out of the generator and all over the Br. Emmanuel: Stories Gathered floor. In thanksgiving this didn’t happen at 2 a.m.” Along the Way “Help us to see the flies as gifts for formation.” All but the last of these anecdotes are told from the point of view of Fr. Isaiah who lovingly gathered the stories below. “For the three people killed in an accident on Highway 1, that they might live through this.” And, in addition, Rich Veum has written a beautiful personal recollection of Emmanuel (“Farewell, Faithful “We had 10 inches of rain today. Former record is 6 inches. Servant”) on the blog “To Sur, With Love.” We pray to the Lord.” https://medium.com/@richveum/farewell-faithful-servant- “A frozen branch fell on a man in New York. Killed him. For c99bf7390633 his well-being we pray…” Once Br. Emmanuel was working in a wet ditch and “Thank God for all the beauties of nature. Amazing birds—a emerged covered with mud. He said, “Good thing God is pair of flycatchers has been nestin’ in my shed for the last everywhere.” five years. Well, one year they didn’t, but the other four they did. Right above my truck.” Once at the beginning of one of my retreats, he and Zacchaeus came to my private Mass. Zacchaeus prayed “Let us ask Our Lady of Comfort to comfort us in these hot that I be “set on fire by the Holy Spirit” during my retreat. days. It was 117 degrees in Phoenix yesterday. Supposed to Br. Emmanuel added, “If he comes out of his cell on fire, be pretty hot today.” don’t put him out.” “For the protection of the turkeys on our property. That they We had a dog named Buddy that Emmanuel was especially might live out their full lives and fulfill God’s plan for them.” fond of… he’d give them rides in the bucket of his skip-load- er. One time Cyprian was coming down at Vigils, and there “Help me to live cheerfully today, because God loves was a beautiful full moon. He ran into Emmanuel who said, a cheerful giver.” “Wish I could put the moon in a box and give it to Buddy.” “For Br. Gabriel…I don’t know where he is. I went looking for Once at a prayer convention I shared a motel room with him this morning and he wasn’t there.” him. He had a snore that would fairly lift the curtains. I told him about it and the next morning he said, “I found out I had another gift.” He could be so childlike. After his cataract and knee operations he was full of praise and wonder. But even smaller graces could fill him with excitement. One time he interrupted a gathering of monks to say, ”I just want to tell people about this back pain I had and the relief I got. I had this back pain that hurt worse than anything I’d had before. Bede then got me some medicine.” ”What was it, Brother?” (Long pause.) “Was it Therapak?” “No, that wasn’t it. Bede took me over and showed me.” “Was it an ointment or a pill?” “It was a pill.” “Was it Tylenol?” “YEAH— THAT WAS IT.” “God bless the U.S. Texas has too much water, California When I go to town, I try to say a private Mass that day. Br. doesn’t have enough. Lord hear our prayer.” Emmanuel and Br. Gabriel would always join me. There’s a sweet intimacy in the little chapel, gathered around the [From a retreatant:] On my first visit to the Hermitage my altar. Br. Emmanuel said once, “It’s like being in Heaven.” car barely made it to the trailer where I was to stay. It was smoking or steaming or both. I asked at the bookstore if After a solemn procession to the cemetery, Br.