How many Monks actually live along the Camino Frances or....

[Bedspring]

....any Camino.

Further to the thread about Monks at Roncevalles, how many Monks actually live along the Camino Frances.

I recall seeing quite a few Nuns, but very few Monks, I think one signed me at Samos, and I think I recall stopping in another Albergue and there might have been a couple, but to say its such a huge religious thing, not many. Where is the best place to interact with Monks, possibly as Patrick Leigh Fermor did in "A Time to keep Silence"

 

[Bradypus]

Where is the best place to interact with Monks, possibly as Patrick Leigh Fermor did in "A Time to keep Silence"

Probably the best place is somewhere a long way from the Camino Frances! As you have noted there are very few male religious communities left along the Camino Frances itself. It is very difficult to combine the constant round of prayer which is the principal function of monastic life with hosting a large number of demanding visitors who change on a daily basis. That is one of the reasons why those religious houses of either sex which do still maintain albergues often rely heavily on lay people for the practical work involved. If you want to spend any significant time meeting with monks then it would be better to do so as one of a smaller number of guests for a longer period than an overnight albergue stay.

PS: In the remarkable pilgrimage book "The Crossway" Guy Stagg gives a very powerful account of the impact of time spent in the Orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos on the atheist but fascinated and respectful author.

 

[MinnehonkTom]

....any Camino.

Further to the thread about Monks at Roncevalles, how many Monks actually live along the Camino Frances.

I recall seeing quite a few Nuns, but very few Monks, I think one signed me at Samos, and I think I recall stopping in another Albergue and there might have been a couple, but to say its such a huge religious thing, not many. Where is the best place to interact with Monks, possibly as Patrick Leigh Fermor did in "A Time to keep Silence"

The monastery at Sobrado dos Monxes is my recommendation. It is located on both the Camino de Norte and the Variante Verde of the Camino Primitivo. The monastery is an active religious community. Bonus: It brews its own beer. The brothers offer rooms for extended stays, for contemplation and worship with the brothers.

 

[SYates]

The Benedictine monks in Rabanal del offer pilgrims the possibility to stay several days for a retreat during/after their Camino: https://monteirago.org/en/hospitalidad/acogida-monastica-de-huespedes/
BC SY

 

[MinnehonkTom]

The monastery at Sobrado dos Monxes is my recommendation. It is located on both the Camino de Norte and the Variante Verde of the Camino Primitivo. The monastery is an active religious community. Bonus: It brews its own beer. The brothers offer rooms for extended stays, for contemplation and worship with the brothers.

(sin título)

www.monasteriodesobrado.org

 

[Rebekah Scott]

"...but to say it's such a huge religious thing? Not many"
The Camino de Santiago is a huge religious thing. It is the product of monastic expansion, and for a thousand years Christian worship has been its hearbeat. Monastics are now only a small part of this "hige religious thing..." but The faith and worshop are alive in the pilgrims and natives all around you on the Way.
Not every religious person is a monk or nun.

 

[davejsy]

Well I stayed at what was I think a Monastery in Estella run by monks, Albergue Capuchinos. I didn't see any monk-like-looking people though, and the guy who checked me in was wearing jeans and t-shirt and smoking - not that there's anything wrong with that but just not the image I had in my head. Maybe I mis-read my guide-book!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Well I stayed at what was I think a Monastery in Estella run by monks, Albergue Capuchinos. I didn't see any monk-like-looking people though, and the guy who checked me in was wearing jeans and t-shirt and smoking - not that there's anything wrong with that but just not the image I had in my head. Maybe I mis-read my guide-book!

...and not every monastic is going to meet your expectations.

 

[Bradypus]

...and not every monastic is going to meet your expectations.

The priest who presided at our marriage many years ago also ran a small printing press. Derek hired a lorry one day to pick up a load of supplies for the business. Wearing his usual checked shirt and jeans. On the way he stopped to pick up a young Franciscan friar in brown habit who was hitchhiking. Newly professed and very eager to tell Derek all about it. Derek simply nodded and made appropriate noises as the monologue went on. As the young friar stepped down from the cab he said brightly "I don't suppose you pick up many hitchhiking friars!" Just before pulling away Derek replied "I don't suppose you get many lifts from priests driving lorries either."