Monastery Mornings: My Unusual Boyhood Among the Saints and Monks

by Michael Patrick O'Brien

A love letter to a community of Trappist monks who provided family when it was needed the most. 

This warmhearted memoir describes how a small, insecure boy with a vibrant imagination found an unlikely family in the company of monks at Holy Trinity Abbey, in the mountains of rural Latter-day Saint Utah. Struggling with his parents' recent divorce, Michael O'Brien discovered a community filled with warmth, humor, idiosyncrasies, and most of all, listening ears. Filled with anecdotes and delightful "behind the scenes" descriptions of his experiences living alongside the monks as they farmed, prayed, buried their dead, ate, and shared the joys of life, Monastery Mornings speaks to the value of spiritual fatherhood, the lasting impact of positive mentoring, and the stability that the spiritual life can offer to people of all ages and walks of life. 

Genres: Religion, Memoir, Spirituality, Autobiography

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2021

Reviews

[Christina London · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was so fascinating to learn more about the monks and I felt instantly connected to the boy and his family. I was so sad when it ended because I felt like I, too, had grown close to the monks and had missed an opportunity in my own life. All of my questions were answered in the end and it was a great tribute to some great people.

This was respectfully written from the view of a Catholic person living in Utah and I loved the part about the church being about love. That message transcends denomination and really touched me.
Simple beautiful!

[Mary Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coming of age story set around a Trappist Monastery in Utah (of all places). At its heart it is beautiful love letter to the Catholic Church at its very best, and a peek into the lives of Trappist Monks and their vanishing world. Just lovely.

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. I am not Roman Catholic, but I enjoyed reading about the men committed to a life most people would not choose. It gave a very human perspective to the monks. The fact their monastery was set in Utah, among the "Saints", made it even more interesting. A very enjoyable read.

[Mary Etta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read of a place I have visited in times past. The drive down Abbey Lane as well as the Abbey bread and honey were memorable as was the opportunity to hear vespers on our visits.

[Fatimaeliza Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book about love. O’Brien shares the experiences he had growing up close to a Trappist Monastery. How the monks there helped shape and form his life and serve as that extended community and support for his mother. Found myself falling in love with that community as well.

[Robert Suarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. It was the kind of book I enjoy reading on cold winter nights while relaxing in my soft pj's with a hot cup of coffee and a warm and inviting fire keeping me company. Throw in a blizzard with Arctic temperatures and I am in a nice reading mood.

I found "Monastery Mornings" to be a sweet and touching memoir of the nostalgic recollections of a thoughtful young man. Michael Patrick O'Brien tells his story with a light touch that I found refreshing.

It is not a book of profound spiritual insights necessarily. But it does have its moments. And as one who loves spiritual or "religious" subjects, I would have to say this book would not rate very well. But as a human interest story I found it to be an enjoyable and interesting read.

Although I am ten years older than the author, I found I could relate quite well with his experiences. And I suspect, like me, he was much more spiritually aware of his experiences than he cares to admit.

It is obvious that his unique relationship with the Trappist monks and the spiritual environment of the monastery greatly influenced his life. But to his credit he does not sugar coat the fact that life is lived as it is presented. The men at the monastery were not perfect and neither was his life. But despite this fact, each was blessed to have the other come into their lives.

In the end I was happy he shared his life and experiences with me. However, I was a little disquieted and underwhelmed by the fact that in the end the world got another lawyer! Really? Another lawyer? God spare us! Oh well, I'll just have to trust the Lord on this one!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran into this book because of a webinar that I attended with this author and Kathleen Norris, so, of course, I had to hunt the book up. The book itself is a memoir in which the author talks about his relationship with the monks of the Trappist monastery, Monastery of Our Lady of the Trinity, now closed. It follows the author as a boy as he struggles to make sense of the normal stresses of growing up, mingled with the aftermath of abuse and marriage breakdown in the 60s and 70s.

The book really is quite lovely. O'Brien evokes a different time and talks about this community with genuine love and gratitude. The result is something of a reflection on Benedictine hospitality and the good that it brings. The way that the community takes him and his family in really sparks healing. Nor is that healing limited to this family. The presence of this monastery in a very Morman area was initially viewed with suspicion, but the monks steadily changed the minds of their neighbours through their persistent peaceableness.

This is really worth reading, both as a memoir and as a reflection of the impact of Benedictine spirituality. While this monastery is closed, it's impact still seems to linger.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up just 3 miles down the lane from the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity, a Trappist Cistercian monastery in Huntsville, Utah. When I discovered the book, Monastery Mornings: My Unusual Boyhood Among the Saints and Monks by Michael Patrick O'Brien, I knew I just had to read it. The book could be divided into two separate parts. The history of the Trappist monastery and the men who lived there, and the life and times of Michael O’Brien. I must say that reading about the monks was much more interesting. I enjoyed reading about the history of several of the monks and why they joined the order. I found it fascinating their life and most importantly, why they joined. As a youth I would see the various monks out working in the fields. And later I enjoyed their evening chants, while riding my bike around the loop. The monastery is a beautiful place, where men served God while living a life of prayer, work and meditation. All good. And it was interesting getting a glimpse of life of a Catholic growing up in Utah. But I don’t think Michael’s life story helped the book. But I am glad I purchased the book.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now added this short, but poignant, little memoir to my list of favorite books. The author’s description of his family’s interactions with a group of Cistercian monks, following a devastating divorce and resultant poverty, is insightful, often humorous; and draws deeply, and sometimes very personally, from the author’s boyhood experiences.

The book is written in an almost conversational tone that belies deep insight into the individual personalities of the monks, into Catholic/Christian theology, and into the human condition itself.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend, Susan, who lives near this monastery sent me this book shortly after my mother passed. She thought I might enjoy it because of the author's Irish Catholic background and my admiration of the Trappist Monks.
I loved this book and it warmed my soul as I read it!

[John Vanderslice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. The author had a rather unusual childhood in that his mother, after her separation from her husband, started taking the children to a Trappist monastery not too far away (this is in Utah) for Sunday masses and holy days. The author and his siblings made friends with several of the monks there, and even were allowed to do the work of the monastery. His regular visits to the monastery continued until he graduated from college. He was asked then by one monk if he would like to consider joining their order, but at that point his life was moving in a decidedly different path: laws school and raising a family. But the imprint of those monastery stays is clearly strong. He has almost nothing but good things to say about the monks he knew growing up. Sadly, the monastery closed a few years ago, as the population of monks had dwindled to very few. That isn't surprising but it makes for a bittersweet close to the book and to his memories.

[MykeWeber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtakingly beautiful, honest and inspiring memoir. I loved every moment of it! I am not Catholic, but couldn’t have loved it more if I were. It is interesting that during this past year I’ve read two memoirs that described childhoods in religious traditions other than mine. In both cases I learned to love the practices, devotion and family fealty that impressed me so much! This one was about a Catholic family the other about a Muslim one. While I’ve studied comparative religions and know their doctrines pretty well, nothing has endeared me to any of them like close observations of the experiences of the children in those cultures. Those studies taught me what they teach, these memoirs taught what they practice. A much better view in my opinion!

Michael Patrick O’Brien has made a masterpiece in my view! The prose is as beautiful as the message! How I’d love to sit down with him and have a long talk!

[Rosemary Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographical journey takes the reader back to the late 1940s and the establishment of the Holy Trinity Abbey outside of Ogden, Utah. Michael O'Brien shares his story of growing up without a father but finding love and support among the trappist monks, priets and nuns of this very special Roman Catholic monastary snuggled in the midst of Morman country.

O'Brien writes in a very straightforward manor and the book is an historical gem, filled with humor and stories that cover nearly 70 years. Not only was Monastery Mornings a delightful read, I learned a great deal about the place, the time and the Trappist order of Benedictins.

[Annie Flanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading excerpts of this book for months now on Facebook. I love the excerpts so much that I had to have a copy for myself.

The author is a member of a group that I belong to there- which is how I have access to all the excerpts from the book that he has posted.

Fortunately I got a gift card for Christmas so I have purchased the book and I'm still reading it. It is a great book and I recommend it to all who like books about Trappist monks [I'm a big Thomas Merton fan myself]

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of growing up in Utah’s Catholic community, and as part of that, the author’s family visits to the Trappist monastery in Huntsville. What I liked best was O’Brien’s advocacy for intra-faith respect and cooperation.

Though it laments the closure of the monastery in Utah (and other locations), at its heart this book shows how O’Brien found meaning in his life through the principles he observed and learned there: service, compassion, and commitment to others. He pleads the need for these still. Good read.

[Maureta Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a very touching and enlightening story of faith and love of mankind. Theo author was a fatherless boy through divorce and his mother was struggling also a started to I visit the monastery with him and his sister for comfort and guidance attending various masses. He told of struggles with the suspicions of the Catholics towards the Church of Latter Day Saints and vice versa and how they overcame the suspicions to become helpful and loving neighbors. As a Latter Day Saint myself I found it to be a lesson that more people need to learn of tolerance.o

[Douglas Donaldson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this monastery and, although I'm not Catholic, its influence in the Ogden Valley was palpable. I often made a point of introducing my children to the monks and the prayers they offered.

To read this book was to expand my understanding of the spiritual contributions they made to my state and the character of the men who lived out their days following this way of life.

Michael Patrick O'Brien, you have my gratitude for sharing your memories and your tributes.

[Xena! · Rating 2 out of 5]

The description of the monastery, its inhabitants, and the Ogden area is accurate and entertaining. However, the majority of the book seems to be a vanity project, attempting to justify the author's continued faith in the Catholic church, despite his expressed concern about their multiple cases of child molestation and serial cover-ups of such. Other egregious cases of severe harm promoted by organized Catholicism, such as the Inquisition, are barely mentioned.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the author’s youth spent visiting at a monastery near his home in Utah and how those visits developed his character. This is another book where I think reading the Epilogue first might have helped me appreciate his story more. I enjoyed reading it, as I have stayed for a couple of days at a Trappist retreat center, but at times it seemed like the story could have been shortened a bit.

[Denisele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this until the last chapter. Had it been revealed in the prologue that was what led to the writing of this memoir (or maybe it was and I missed it or I read over it), I think it would've been better context ... but how it was handled just landed in a really sour way for me. I otherwise enjoyed learning about the relationships and experiences this individual shared across several years of their lives.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful invitation to journey with the author and his monastic family through the ups and downs of his life and the life of the Abbey. The message of love and redemption shines through as Michael Patrick O’Brien shares his life’s journey and the impact that a small group of Trappist Monks had on him, his siblings, and his mother.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my book group. It was an interesting read and a fascinating insight into monastery life which I knew nothing about. Some good insights into leading a better life with our fellow man.

[Nancy Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a lovely book - well written, with some wonderful personal touches. I loved the author's mother, and how she tried to give her children grounding in the local monastery. This book will renew your faith in the Catholic Church. I found the book did drag in places, but overall I'm glad I read it.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read and then the visit to the actual site of the Huntsville Monastery. Interesting local history, and memoir of O'Brien of his friendship and need of the kind monks. An enjoyable read especially after meeting the author.

[Scott Ritchie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh...it never grabbed me. The Catholic Church always makes me sad because so few Catholics seem to find Jesus amidst all of their religious ceremony. But the monks seemed like sweet men and I would have enjoyed sharing conversation over bread and honey.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing is sharp and engaging. I appreciated appreciated the honest and heart wrenching descriptions of the struggles the author faced. Though not of his religious denomination, it helped me to be a better Christian.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I knew Michael when he represented a company I worked for in an employment lawsuit. Michael is a great person.

[Susan Runyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very touching book. I loved the combination of personal memories, place, and religion.

[Elaine Jorndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book with a wonderful message of hope in a sadly violent world.
I know I will read this book again and again for encouragement and a reminder of what really matters in our time on earth.