Help Pat visit Silverstream

My name is Pat McMahon.

I’m a soon-graduating senior at Aquinas College in Nashville, TN. In January 2019, shortly after a major conversion of morals, I began to experience a strengthening inclination of heart to enter religious life as soon as I was able. I ended a serious relationship, changed my major to complete my degree sooner, and began to inquire with and visit communities across the United States.

I first contacted the Benedictine Monks of the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of the Cenacle Monastery (Silverstream Priory) in May 2020 after being greatly moved by the portrait of monastic life illustrated by the great abbot, Bl. Columba Marmion. This began a period of further reading and correspondence with the Father Novice Master of Silverstream, who indicated that it would be best for me to make a 3 month aspirancy visit as soon as possible to test the call.

Arranging and executing international travel has proved an exacting effort in the context of the pandemic. My plans to visit have been shaken and fortified many times as travel requirements have changed seemingly every week. Most recently, the Irish Government has added the United States to their list of high-risk countries. An effect of this is that all travelers to Ireland who have been in America within two weeks are required to enter a two-week hotel quarantine, costing $2,100 USD for the room alone, not including other expenses like food, testing, transportation, and other needs.

After taking counsel with Father Novice Master and other family, friends, and mentors who compose my support network, I hold that it would still be prudent to make visit this summer if possible. We have reasoned that a nearly $3,000 quarantine would be exorbitant and imprudent under the circumstances.

There is an alternative means of entry with is more modest in cost,equally lawful, and equally safe. Essentially, I would first travel to the United Kingdom for a two-week, isolated quarantine at the seasonal home of a relative of mine, before proceeding to enter Ireland for an additional two-week, isolated quarantine within the Monastery. This avoids the requirement of hotel quarantine and the associated costs and risks.  But I am still in need of your help to realize this plan, which adds another two weeks of thrifty travel in another country than my original plans accounted for. I am hoping to raise $1,100 USD to defer these new, unforeseen costs of my visit.

These funds will go toward:

• (5) COVID19 PCR tests (4 in England, 1 in Ireland) required by the laws of both countries. I will test 6 times within a 3 week period to be released for quarantine and fit to travel as soon as possible. These tests, approx $115 each, total about $630 USD.

• Air fares from America to London, and from London to Dublin. I am able to change my already-booked departing flight and purchase an inexpensive flight across the Irish Sea. These fares total about $175 USD.

• Train fares and rides within the UK, mostly from London to my quarantine site. These also total about $175.

• Remaining difference toward GoFundMe’s take (~3%, taxes, and emergency cash. Any remaining funds will go toward my return to Silverstream for postulancy, should I decide to enter. Otherwise, a donation will be made to the Priory itself.

I hope to depart to the UK on the evening of Pentecost, 23 May; so I am in need of the funds by 12 May, 2021, so I can pre-order the COVID test ahead of my arrival.

Your support of this endeavor is very meaningful to me, as it allows me to follow God on the one road I have really, constantly, and increasingly followed these last two years. I am grateful for the support of any donations and prayers you could spare for me in this matter. Know of my daily remembrance of all of my benefactors in my own prayers already. Thank you again, and may God reward you.

RULE OF ST. BENEDICT | CHAPTER LVIII: CONCERNING THE DISCIPLINE OF THOSE TO BE RECEIVED AS BRETHREN
In the case of anyone newly come to essay conversion of life, let not an easy entrance be accorded him; but as says the Apostle: “Prove the spirits, whether they are from God.” Therefore if anyone who comes shall have persevered in knocking for admission and after four or five days shall have been found patiently to bear all the injuries inflicted upon him and the difficulty of gaining entrance and shall be found to persist with his petition, let entrance be granted him and let him be in the guests’ house for a few days.

But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. Thanks be to God.