Bye Bye Brothers...

Although this weblog has a distinctly SoCal flavor, I wonder if anyone has the scoop on what's going on with the "Monks of the Adoration" in Venice, Florida?

I know the Diocese of Venice in Florida recently got a new bishop, Frank Dewane, pictured above. Previous Bishop John Nevins, which had allowed the Monks of the Adoration to start as a "Public Association of the Faithful," retired this year. (He's pictured installing Dewane as a CoAdjutor Bishop below.)

The Diocese newsletter contained the following terse statement:

"Office of the Chancellor:
This is to inform you that the canonical status of the Community of the Monks of Adoration as a Public Association of the Faithful in the Diocese of Venice in Florida expired on Feb. 25, 2007. The Community of the Monks of Adoration was established ad experimentum on Feb. 25, 2004, for three years, observing the norms of Canon 320, and has not been renewed. Therefore, effective Feb. 25, 2007, the Community of the Monks of Adoration as a Public Association of the Faithful in the Diocese of Venice ceases to exist."

The website that the brothers had at http://www.monksofadoration.org/ is shut down.

Anybody got the 411 on this?

Comments

[Qualis Rex]

Florida seems to be a hotbed of "experimental orders". I actually have some stories which would make your hair stand on end here. If this particular order was not renewed, it could be due to a multitude of reasons; cost overhead, disunity or internal conflict, failing to coherrently express their form or rule, and many other "non-scandalous" or apolitical reasons.

In this case, I would say the bottom line is it just wasn't meant to be for them. I don't know what the "success rate" is for orders, but I hear it's actually quite small.

[Dan]

I often visited their webpage. I thought that they were professed monks - is this not the case? Please let me know! I have visited their webpage for years, and often noticed that they solicited donations for building the 'monastery' in Florida.

[Peter]

Fact 1. Bishop John Nevins is not deceased; he is retired.
Fact 2. The Monks of Adoration did not have any postulants or novices, and one of the original three left.

[Qualis Rex]

Peter, I figured the disbandment was most likely organic in this case.

Dan, anyone can be a "professed monk" if they follow the rule of a monastic order. Monks don't necessarily take the sacrament of holy orders, and if they do they are then technically priests (usually ministering the sacraments to the rest of the order).

[Michael]

Bishop John Nevins did not ordain Bishop Frank DeWane as auxiliary bishop of Venice, but rather Coadjutor Bishop of Venice. Bishop DeWane succeeded to the See of Venice upon Bishop Nevins' retirement (not death) on January 19, 2007.

[Frank]

From what I can gather, Bishop Dewane is interested in showing the priests and people of the Diocese who is "in charge". Not that anyone seems to be very interested.

[Qualis Rex]

LOL. Good one : )

[Séamas]

The "411" is to be found by going to the Monks of Adoration web address and following the links to the forums there.

http://www.monksofadoration.org/

Apparently, the bishop ordered them to close the monastery and take down the website, etc. due to the small number and lack of vocations.

They are currently looking for a diocese that will accept them, and they say that several bishops have shown an interest.

[Andy]

I can't believe this. I loved their site, downloaded their Rosary to play on my MP3 and later ipod, and loved taking a moment of my day to adore Jesus live, even if I could not leave the office. I don't know about vocations, but they sure inspired my life.

[Dale]

I feel deeply saddened by the closing of the monks website and their association. In times of need, I turned to the monks for prayer petitions.

[Stephen Baumann]

Does anyone know how I can get in contact with Brother Craig? He used to write a newspaper column for us, and I'd like to get in touch with him and see how he's doing and where he's doing it. I'd also like to know what will happen to the building.

Thanks
Steve Baumann
sbaumann@sun-herald.com

[Father Anonymous]

Why do these people have to start their own religious order. There are tons of monastic and active orders out there?

[Ed Sandri]

I was a regular on the Monks of Adoration web site and downloaded a lot of their information. I miss not have their web site available.

[pelagia]

I can only ask, "is nothing sacred?" The Monks of Adoration were a small band of holy men that had a great impact on many a person and promoted the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament...can any thing be more sacred? The fact that they have closed down implies a very, very clear message to the shadow that has casted over many a holy order, holy priest or holy monk....the truth cannot be deceived, as Christ is the truth and lies have no abound....

[pelagia]

I can only ask, "is nothing sacred?" The Monks of Adoration were a small band of holy men that had a great impact on many a person and promoted the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament...can any thing be more sacred? The fact that they have closed down implies a very, very clear message to the shadow that has casted over many a holy order, holy priest or holy monk....the truth cannot be deceived, as Christ is the truth and lies have no abound....

[pelagia]

I can only ask, "is nothing sacred?" The Monks of Adoration were a small band of holy men that had a great impact on many a person and promoted the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament...can any thing be more sacred? The fact that they have closed down implies a very, very clear message to the shadow that has casted over many a holy order, holy priest or holy monk....the truth cannot be deceived, as Christ is the truth and lies have no abound....
and who is Ed Sandri- who did not post this comment?

[pelagia]

I can only ask, "is nothing sacred?" The Monks of Adoration were a small band of holy men that had a great impact on many a person and promoted the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament...can any thing be more sacred? The fact that they have closed down implies a very, very clear message to the shadow that has casted over many a holy order, holy priest or holy monk....the truth cannot be deceived, as Christ is the truth and lies have no abound....
and who is Ed Sandri- who did not post this comment?

[Brandon]

I don't know the whole story with the order but a close friend of mine (who was also my confirmation sponsor) just left a month or two ago to join this order. He told me a little bit about what was going on but not too much. All I know is that they were moving to another state because of lack of vocations where they were.

[Anthony]

I am very sad to learn that the monks were not able to retain their "Public Association" status. They may continue as a "Private Association" of which Canon Law speaks and while they have NO canonical status or approve from a Bishop, they may continue to live as a community and wear that habits and have a website. A Bishop may not acknowledge or approve of a "Private Association" but they may continue. Canonical status is NOT a 100% guarantee of fidelity to the teachings of the Church or freedom from causing scandel. As long as they continue to live holy lives...God is glorified and their souls graced by their fidelity. I DO understand and accept the cautiousness of a Bishop for his diocese but the Catholic Faithful are free to form a "Private Association". May these men be blessed as they journey together faithful to Christ, His Church and their plan of life.

[dennis]

to bad,,,

[Leonardo Carrion]

I think they are a wonderful Community. Their love for the Eucharist and contemplative-monastic life says it all. I think God is prooving their faith and pushing it to the limit. I stayed one week with them last December and found it was wonderful. You see Brother Craig the love in his eyes. Brother John is wonderful, very intelligent. I feel they are going to succeed. The time of God is not yet arrived. I know Jesus is waiting for his moment. God bless the Monks of Adoration.

[Marlon]

Does anybody know Brother Craig's last name?

[dennis]

brother craigs last name is Driscoll
i'm also trying to locate the community...seems to have disapeared!

[dennis]

brother craigs last name is Driscoll
i'm also trying to locate the community...seems to have disapeared!

[dennis]

brother craigs last name is Driscoll
i'm also trying to locate the community...seems to have disapeared!