Salesian Monastery
HC 1  Box 455
Frantz Road
Brodheadsville  PA 
18322-9630
(717) 992-3448 (abbot)
(717) 992-0230 (monastery)
e-mail: monk@epix.net   	 
 
 	Peace be with you!  Thank you for your recent request for
information concerning the Salesian Monastic Community (SMC).  Our
monastery was officially founded on May 1, 1987, after much preparation,
prayer, and consultation.  
 
	People live the Salesian life (the spirituality of St. Francis de
Sales and St. Jane de Chantal) as lay-persons, priests, deacons, Sisters,
Religious Brothers, and monastic women (the Visitation nuns).  Until our
community began, there were no Salesian monks.  Our professed members may
perform half-time external ministry of a wide variety (consistent with the
gifts of the individual monk/nun) along with a guest house ministry within
the monastery.  Joyful silence, Liturgy of the Hours, recreation, and the
other ingredients of monastic life are also a part of life.  In short, we
are not as cloistered as the Trappists, and not as active as an apostolic
community.  
 
	The emphasis here is on a simple monastic life.  If an applicant
is already a priest, then that is one of the gifts he brings to the
community.  Such is the case with the gifts, talents, and potential, of
other applicants as well.  No job is too humble or too lofty in God's
house.  Ordination is not the norm; monastic profession expresses the
fullness of the Salesian monastic life.  
 
	The monastery is located on 1-1/3 acres of land in the Pocono
mountains.  The property is mortgaged.  
 
	The founder was a Religious Brother in the Oblates of St. Francis
de Sales for over 27 years, but felt called to a monastic expression of
Salesian life.  After a three year trial period, he was given an Indult of
Departure from Oblates by the Vatican and now lives as a Salesian monk,
with the permission of the Bishop of Scranton.  
 
	We have approximately 25 Monastic Associates.  These men and women
gather at the monastery about once a month for prayer, Salesian
conferences, and the Liturgy of the Hours.  Some return at other times for
private prayer and spiritual direction.  
 
	The community is a PA non-profit corporation recognized by both
state and federal governments.  The Rule provides for monks, nuns, and men
and women associate members from all walks of life.
 
	If you are considering monastic life or are interested in taking a
closer look, feel free to write/call with specific questions.  If you
would like to come to the monastery for a visit, please write a letter
commenting on:  1) what you think monastic life could offer you and vice
versa; 2) your general physical and emotional health; 3) things you would
like to do in ministry, e.g., cooking, teaching, retreat work; 4) if you
are a licensed driver or not; 5) your education and life experience; 6)
past and present marital status; and 7) past religious life/seminary
experience.  A letter from your spiritual director or pastor is also
needed. 
 
	No  financial offering is expected from those coming to visit.
Room and board are provided when a person enters the community, but one is
expected to take care of his/her personal financial needs (which would
ordinarily be quite modest) until simple profession and eventually do some
form of part time work/ministry outside the community to help cover
expenses long term.  A person needs to be free of outstanding debts or
other obligations prior to entrance.
 
	People interested in spending some time as a guest at the
monastery who are not necessarily considering monastic life need only have
a letter of reference sent, e. g., from a pastor or spiritual director.
We are grateful for any donation but none is necessary.  We find that many
guests ask for a guideline in this area and we tell them that some retreat
houses suggest thirty dollars per night.   
 
	The community consists of a solemnly professed monk, a simply
professed monk, and a simply professed nun.  (We take private vows with
permission of the Bishop.)  Many people write/call for information.  Some
are in a discernment process concerning their vocations  Guests are here
for retreat much of the time.  
 
	May God continue to guide you.  
 
                                In God's love,
 
 	  	                Brother Bernard Seif, SMC
                                Abbot
 
BBS/ds
enclosures