Another Unlikely Monastic

My last post was a little bit from my side about making the move from a solo monasticism to becoming a monastic co-journer; by way of getting engaged. Since then, my partner, Jorge, has written the following reflection on his own journey. He has kindly allowed me to share it below:

Dear brothers and sisters, please read the following message that I want to share with all of you:


I was born in a place known as Juayua, that I propounce (JUAJUA), in the little country of El Salvador in Central America. Being from there, of course I love pupusas, chilate, atol shuco, atol de helote, loroco, nisperos, jocotes, pacaya, manzanas pedorras and tenquiques, foods which we have a lot in our country town, which is also a semi-rural coffee plantation area, where I worked as a youth.


I am also a survivor of the Salvadoran Genocide perpetrated in the 1980's. Bishop Oscar Romero, Ita Ford and three other American nuns were martyred there during this time. My interfaith and ecumenical connections helped me to understand more about who I am and what I need to accomplish for life to be more enjoyable and looking for happiness and love. Being part of efforts to humanize myself and this world let me have more passion for hope and to believe in social change, peace, harmony, the need to build common ground and journeys for appreciation and personal care.


Spirituality plays a great role in my life, where I found myself, my inner peace, my weakness and strength. I love Native American culture, music, poetry, drumming, and meditative walks. I believe my interest in learning about other cultures and faith traditions has grown in the past few years, after my graduation from McCormick Theological Seminary and later becoming a Christian minister. Being able to be in touch with people that believe in social change, peacemaking and human rights has helped me to have more sensitivity and understanding of who am I and my personal response to social and worldwide issues. My interest in multicultural efforts to 'cross-culture' myself it is something that I am still learning and I hope myself to strength and develop more and more.


This past Sunday (August 3rd), I went to Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) with Le Anne Clausen, who is now my fiancee. It was a blessing and powerful experience both of us. To be at TUCC church, gave me a good sense of what church is and means, a powerful journey for God's service and loving Gospel songs of this unique Afro-centric and moreso, an inclusive Christian community on the South Side of Chicago. My presence on this occasion was because I wanted to express my personal solidarity with the TUCC community after they have been overwhelmed from intensive media harassment and other prejudices following Rev. Jeremiah Wright's theological speeches and his prophetic view on race, politics and social disparities. Le Anne is a person who not only has a natural and original smiling face, but her charismatic personality is extremely contagious. As a woman, she is for me not only a great match for a loving relationship but also a perfect complement for practical ministry and community life. We both have a clear vision and focus on worldview issues such as peacemaking, social justice, social change and community life that respect diversity, gender orientation, interfaith relations and inclusiveness. And in addressing the continuing struggles of Central America, Le Anne herself has been part of this journey for social justice and peace.



And for this reason I am glad to officially announce to you this wonderful news.
Rev. Jorge Montes