Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii has always maintained a small population, beginning with six founding members when it was first established here in September 1983. Other religious members and lay associates came and went over the years, but the permanent occupancy never deviated from the original two priests and four sisters who first lived on Waialae Iki Ridge, then moved to the monastery’s current site in Waialua.
In 2012, when the isle group’s superior order — the Italy-based Benedictine Congregation of St. Mary of Monte Oliveto — sought to close the Waialua monastery and fold its members into another monastery on the mainland, among the reasons it cited was the small, aging population.
The Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii found support in Bishop Larry Silva and the Diocese of Honolulu, and in 2013 was re-designated a “public association of the faithful” so it could remain in the state and operate as a religious community following the Benedictine way of life.
It even gained a new name: Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery, though its official name is still the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii.
Despite its new lease on life, the monastery has struggled to sustain its population. Membership since 2013 has dwindled to just two —Sister Celeste Cabral and Sister Mary Jo McEnany, plus a lay resident. The other four founding members have either passed away or are no longer affiliated with the monastery.
In the diocese’s eyes, the lack of professed members has made it impossible to support a viable community.
Thus, Bishop Silva has decided to withdraw the diocese’s support of the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii, voiding its status as a Catholic public association of the faithful and ending its ties with the diocese effective July 1.
Bishop Silva’s proclamation, dated June 23, states that “the Monastery can no longer function effectively as such with only two fully professed members.” It also cites issues with following the statutes laid out 13 years ago that outlined the monastery’s relationship with the diocese.
In a letter to Sister Cabral and Sister McEnany also dated June 23, Bishop Silva thanked them and the others in the Benedictine community for “for the positive presence you were in the Diocese of Honolulu for many years and for the many ways the Monastery and its members served our diocese.”
The letter goes on to describe what will happen now that the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii is no longer under the diocese’s watch:
A priest will no longer be provided for Sunday Mass.
The Blessed Sacrament was to be removed from the monastery chapel July 1 and placed in the tabernacle at St. Michael Church in Waialua, and the monastery can no longer reserve the Eucharist on its property.
The monastery, or the entity that might succeed it, “has a moral obligation to care for its professed members” with necessities like healthcare and housing. The well-being of the monastery’s lay associate must also be taken into consideration.
The mortal remains of deceased members that are on the property need to be cared for as well if the monastery were to cease operations and the property is sold or otherwise disposed of — the remains must be relocated to a parish columbarium, cemetery or other proper Catholic burial site.
The Diocese of Honolulu is grateful for all the Benedictine Monastery has done over the years. All are asked to pray for the remaining members as they make a transition into a new entity.
Above: The Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii, also called Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit Monastery, has expanded its footprint in Waialua since moving there in the 1980s from its original home on Waialae Iki Ridge. (HCH file photo)