The Abbey Up the Hill: A Year in the Life of a Monastic Day Tripper

by Carol Bonomo

Artist, crafter, diarist, recovering alcoholic, Episcopal, Catholic, spiritual gypsy. These are some of the ways that Carol Bonomo has described herself. Like many of her generation, she had trouble finding a spiritual home. "I'm one of those 'seekers' who doesn't known what she's looking for, and wouldn't recognize an answer to the meaning of life if she tripped on it in the dark." Her spiritual adventures included the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, Alcoholics Anonymous, and her attempt to become a lay associate of the Franciscans. But the Franciscans sent her away. "Run, don't walk, to the abbey up the hill, " they advised her. And so she did, heading to the Benedictine abbey she was pointed to. Much to her surprise, there she found the home she'd been seeking for so long. The Abbey Up the Hill is Bonomo's reflection on her first year as a Benedictine oblate -- a lay person vowing to live according to the 6th century Rule of St. Benedict, a monastic guide to living a balanced life with God at the center. Month-by-month, she records her spiritual growth with honesty, humor, and insight. This is the unforgettable story of a pilgrim's struggles to leave off wandering and finally come home.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Honest Look at the Author’s Journey

An interesting read for those who are interested in following someone’s struggle with Benedictine spirituality.

However, I found it just to be average and very much focused on herself and her past. I would like to have seen more of how God was impacting her life

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

There just was not enough of the author’s inner experience in this book. It was a rather superficial recitation of the days happenings.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part boring, part interesting elaboration of a Benedictine oblate's year of following the rule of St. Benedict while being tied to a monastery in one's immediate locality.

There were some interesting and edifying insights from St. Benedict's rule and the Desert Fathers, but overall, it was a very personal interaction with one woman's struggle with how to break free from alcoholism and milquetoast Catholicism to find a meaningful relationship with God in community. Hopefully most Christians don't have to go through this process of trial and error to find a worshiping community to give meaning to one's existence and one's spiritual journey.

While less annoying than Ann Lamott, I still got a very subjective view of what it means to be a Benedictine oblate. Maybe that's not a bad thing, but I'd like to hear other perspectives on being an oblate. Very interesting idea-- connecting with a monastery and committing to follow an ancient, 1500+ rule of life.

[Rachel Kopel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know Carol and I know the Abbey whereof she writes. So I was partly a challenge to match up her pseudonominous characters with the monks I know there.

That aside, she is a very entertaining writer, especially considering that her topic is becoming a Benedictine Oblate and also experiencing life in alcoholic recovery. Carol can laugh at her own insanity and I felt comfortable laughing with her. But also she writes accurately and meaningfully about the cycle of the liturgical year and the Rule of St Benedict. A very good read.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed; the book lacked depth. Aside from participating in the rites at the abbey, I would have liked to learn more detailed information about the authors' oblate process.