Benedictines Makkiyad Welcomes You

St. Joseph’s Benedictine Monastery is a Conventual Priory of the Order of St. Benedict of Montefano, known as the Sylvestrines, founded by St. Sylvester Guzzolini(1177-1267).The mother house of this monastic congregation is located in Montefano, Fabriano, Italy, a place of historical importance in the annals of the Order. It is noteworthy that in 1248 the Holy See granted official recognition to this Congregation, thus consolidating its place within the wider Catholic Church..

Nestled in the picturesque hill district of Wayanad, on the north-eastern edge of the state of Kerala, India, St Joseph's Benedictine Monastery was founded in 1962. This serene retreat is strategically located at an elevation of approximately 700 to 2100 metres above sea level, offering a sublime setting amidst the mountains of the Western Ghats. Known as one of the most enchanting hill stations in the state of Kerala, India, this monastery offers a contemplative retreat amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Western Ghats..

The Order of St Benedict of Montefano, now recognised as the Sylvestrine-Benedictines or simply the Sylvestrines, has a special status as a member congregation within the wider framework of the Order of St Benedict (Ordo Sancti Benedicti) . This venerable Order is an integral part of the Benedictine Confederation, a network of monastic communities that adhere to the Rule of St Benedict. Adherence to the Rule serves as a unifying force among Benedictine communities worldwide, fostering a common commitment to the principles of prayer, work and community life.

As the custodian of the Sylvestrine tradition, St Joseph's Benedictine Monastery Makkiyad in Wayanad embodies the rich spiritual heritage and disciplined way of life prescribed by St Benedict. The monastery stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of St Sylvester Guzzolini and the wider Benedictine heritage, providing a haven for prayer, reflection and community life amidst the verdant hills of Wayanad. 

Message From Conventual Prior


Welcome to our cyberspace - "Benedictines Makkiyad" 

BUILDING GOOD RELATIONSHIP

Building and nurturing meaningful relationships is a fundamental tenet of our faith, based on the notion that one's love for God can be measured by the genuine affection one shows to one's fellow human beings. It has always been the teaching of our faith that our love for God is measured by our love for our fellow human beings. The key to good relationships with others lies in our sincere acceptance of the reality that we are all brothers in the one Father in heaven. Building good relationships with others and understanding their situation is a sign of a person who truly loves God. An unknown author said: “Love is always building up. It puts some line of beauty on every life it touches. It gives new hope to discouraged ones, new strength to those who are weak, new joy to those who are sorrowing. It makes life seem more worthwhile to everyone into whose eyes it looks.”

The emphasis in spirituality today is not only on the vertical dimension, but also on the horizontal dimension. Thomas Merton in his book "The Seeds of Contemplation" said: "The more I am identified with God, the more I will be identified with all others who are identified with Him. His love will live in us all".

Christ has challenged us to enter into a good relationship with others. "Love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are my disciples" (Jn 13:35). And St Paul said: Be imitators of God as His beloved children. Follow the way of love, as Christ loved you. He gave himself up for us, a sacrifice to God, a gift of fragrance" (Eph 5:1).

We need to understand the nature of Christian love, which is the basis of a good relationship with others. It is not an emotional love. Rather, Christian love is the desire to do good to others as far as we are able. To love is not necessarily to like. Even if there is nothing likeable about our neighbour, we are still obliged to love him and to get on well with him. There are indeed people who are difficult to get along with: quarrelsome, faultfinding, self-centred, irascible and sarcastic. But it is a challenge for us to understand them and to relate well to them as Christ did.

There are several qualities that foster relationships with others. The first is selflessness. We must learn to forget ourselves, our own interests and comforts, in order to see the needs of others and help them. This was the beautiful example of Christ, who forgot himself to be always ready to serve others. The second is thoughtfulness. We must learn to think of others, their needs, their feelings and their opinions. The less we talk about ourselves and our affairs, the better we develop good relationships with others. Third is helpfulness. There are people who are really helpful, always ready to do something for others. This is a beautiful sign of having the true spirit of Christ, "who came not to be served but to serve and to give himself as a ransom for many. And the fifth quality is joyfulness. Christianity is a religion of joy. When we come into contact with others, we must reflect the joy of our heart.

Fr. Vincent Korandiarkunnel OSB,

Conventual Prior

Our Monastery

St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery at Makkiyad belongs to the Sylvestrine Congregation, a monastic reform movement in the Benedicitne monastic world that took place in the eastern-central Italy

Founded in the year 1973 in the Arch Diocese of Bangalore, Karnataka State, Vanashram is a dependent house of St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery, Makkiyad.

Founded in the year 1982 in the Diocese of Gwalior, in the State of Madhya Pradesh, JeevanJyothi Ashram was a dependent house of St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery, Makkiyad.

Founded in the year 1992 in the Diocese of Kannur, Kerala State, Benhill Benedictine Monastery is a dependent house of St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery, Makkiyad.

Founded in the year 1999 in the Diocese of Dibrugarh, in the North Easter State of Assam, AshirsadanBenedicitne Monastery is a dependent house of St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery

Founded in the year 1987 in the Diocese of Vijayawada, in the State of Andhra Pradesh, Navajeevan Benedictine Monastery was a dependent house and a foundation of St. Joseph's Benedictine Monastery.

Todays Message
“Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading.” The Rule of Saint Benedict Weapon against the temptations of the evil one
Elijah's Horeb experience reminds us that God doesn't shout; He only whispers. One can listen to Him only when the heart & mind are silent. External silence helps too Elijah's model of God experience