BENEDICTINE MONASTERY OF THIEN TAM

February 2014

Dear Friends,

 

Greetings in Christ!

 

Welcome to The Benedictine Catholic Monastery of Thien Tam’s Website.

 

We have been residing in Kerens, Texas since 2009. On September 19, 2009, we celebrated an Inaugural Mass presided by Bishop Kevin Farrell, Bishop of the Dallas Diocese, to officially open Domus of Thien Tam, a Benedictine House.

 

At present, our small Vietnamese community is comprised of 11 monks, two are away studying theology, living together and following the Rule of St. Benedict, Ora et Labora, prayer and work.Our monastery is called Thien Tam, Vietnamese for “Heavenly Heart.” It is situated on a former ostrich ranch of 297 acres, strategically located between Dallas and Houston, Texas. Our new monastic community is founded by Christ in the Desert Monastery (www.christdesert.org).

 

We hope to be a simple presence in this community not only to Catholics but to people of all walks of life, regardless of religion, age, national origin or background. We are also open as a place of prayer and hospitality for priests and religious, and for all people who come to the monastery for personal reflection.Our life focuses on monastic practices. Our schedule consists of the divine office: six times daily, manual labor, studies, and lectio divina. The monastic divine offices are both in Vietnamese and in English.

 

Sunday Mass is celebrated in English at 11:00 am in the Holy Relics Chapel. All are welcome to attend the Mass and afterward invited to stay for refreshments of cookies, tea and coffee.We look forward to your visit.May God grant you peace and blessing!

 

Fr. Dominic Hanh Nguyen, OSB

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