Monday, February 08, 2016

A Weekend Pilgrimage


God's glory appears in Bardstown, Kentucky

We had a glorious weekend in Kentucky.  Sister Therese, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, told us that this area is called the Promised Land of Kentucky.  


The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani 

The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani is a monastery part of the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Order, also known as, the Trappists.  Founded in December, 1848 it was raised to Abbey in 1851.  Gethsemani is considered the mother house of all Trappists and Trappistine monasteries in the United States.  It is the oldest monastery in the United States still in operation.  It was home to Thomas Merton from 1941 until his death in 1968.

 Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral
 Bardstown Kentucky 

The cornerstone of Saint Joseph by Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget in 1816.  In 1775, Catholic settlers, mostly of English and Irish descent began emigrating chiefly from Maryland to Kentucky, an outpost of the crown colony of Virginia.  The first missionaries came around 1787.  In 1808 the four new Catholic diocese created at the request of Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, included Bardstown along with New York and Philadelphia.  The new diocese of Bardsowon covered almost the entire Northwest Territory, south to New Orleans and as far north as Detroit.  

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1819.  When the Episcopal See was moved forty miles away to the fast growing city of Louisville in 1841, Saint Joseph's because a parish church, hence the title "proto-cathedral."  In 1995 Bardstown was named a Titular see by the Vatican for ints contributions to the Catholic Church heritage in America.


Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were founded in 1812.  Mother Catherine Spaulding, along with Bishop John Baptist David, are honored together and remembered as co-founders of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.  

The New community followed the rule of Saint Vincent de Paul and their dwelling was named Nazareth.  They serve in 20 states in the United States, in India, Nepal, Botswana, and Belize.

~~~

It was a grand weekend all round.  The weather was good and we even toured Makers Mark distillery.  There are many on what's know as the Bourbon Trail.  But, that is for another day.  And you can read much more about these grand places by going to their webpages. 

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy


I'm here to play and invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  Should be fun!




Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

Mosaic Monday


I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!

18 comments:

  1. How interesting! Love all the history and photos.

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  2. This was a beautiful and interesting post. Thank you!

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  3. Hello, lovely images from your trip to Kentucky! The monastery is a beautiful place, thanks for sharing the history. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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  4. Very interesting, Cathy. I enjoyed seeing this beautiful cathedral. I've never been to Kentucky--hopefully someday I'll visit.

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  5. wonderful pictures.very interesting, I never beenin cetucky.I will follow your blog and I would be glad ifyou follow too.
    best regards
    susa from Hamburg/ germany

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  6. Your background photo is amazing! Thank you for a lovely post with this music!
    riitta / south Finland

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  7. Beautiful country and lovely visit!

    Donna@GardensEyeView
    and LivingFromHappiness

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  8. What a beautiful place, Cathy. I knew that Merton lived in a Trappist Monastery in KY, but I don't believe I ever saw photos of the site. It is lovely.

    Thank you for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/02/potted.html

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  9. An interesting post Cathy, we breeze through Kentucky on our way south but it is a picturesque state.

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  10. very interesting post with beautiful pics :-)

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  11. What beautiful photos and such a fascinating history- I've never been to Kentucky (someday) Love your background photo too - Is that the Cliffs of Moher?

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  12. Oh what a wonderful post and beautiful photography and a blessing for you to photograph and for me to see ~ thanks ~ ^_^

    Wishing you a happy week ~ ^_^

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  13. Beautiful shots of such monumental structures.

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  14. Wow, wish I had know you were coming to Ky. I would have met you. I volunteer in the Visitor's Center at Nazareth every Friday afternoon. 1 to 4. I immediately recognized the spires of St. Vincent de Paul church as soon as I clicked on your blog. So great to get to travel.

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  15. The historical value of your post was MOST interesting....and an added plus was the tremendously beautiful images....wow!!

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  16. It's wonderful! So interesting and beautiful!

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  17. Interesting! I've heard of the Abbey because of Merton but have never seen pictures. Thank you!

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  18. I feel like a heathen...we went to Bardstown when we were full time RVers, but the only thing we toured there was Makers Mark ! Didn't even know about the other (in my defense). Beautiful Abby and tour....

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