"When they live by the labor of their hands, as our fathers and the apostles did, then they are really monks," St. Benedict writes in his Rule for Monks (ch 48).

At the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity we put this injunction into practice by earning our own living through farming and other industries and crafts. The members of the community have to be fed, clothed, and have their health needs met. Guests too must be housed and fed. Monks, therefore, are assigned to cleaning and cooking for the community and for the visitors. As far as possible we try to do our own maintenance and repair work in the monastery and the guest quarters.

On our 1800-acre farm approximately 700 acres are cultivated. We raise beef cattle as part of the farming operation. To grow crops of alfalfa and barley we need to irrigate the fields, because the climate in Utah is comparatively dry. The hay we do not need for our cattle is sold, and so the sale of the cattle, hay and grain is used for the support of the monks and other charitable purposes.

Monks at Work

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