Dallas, Texas, Sep 22, 2009 / 04:05 am
A new Benedictine monastery was inaugurated in rural Texas on Saturday to be a “special presence” for the Vietnamese community and to proclaim hope to all.
The monastery is called Thien Tam, Vietnamese for “Heavenly Heart.” It is located on a former ostrich ranch of 300 acres, whose land was purchased at a cost of $1 million.
The new monastic community is an offshoot of New Mexico’s Christ in the Desert Monastery.
At the opening ceremony Bishop of Dallas Kevin Farrell spoke to the several hundred Catholics gathered under a big white tent. Most were Vietnamese-Americans from the Dallas area, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Bishop Farrell said the monks’ long days of praying and honoring God help those who do not have as much time. He said the monks can serve as role models.