TAMAP

The American Monastic Archive Project (TAMAP) was conceived and is operated by Daniel Shanahan.

Like many people, I am a monastephile. I am not a monastic, yet I am very interested in Christian monastic life. The fact that there are monastephiles will not surprise anyone, least of all monastics. Every monk and nun I have ever encountered is well aware, and almost always grateful, for the non-monastics of their monastery. These include neighbors, employees, retreatants, family members, and affiliation groups (e.g. oblates, third order, lay Cistercians, etc.).

My first encounter with a monastery was age 2 when I visited New Melleray Abbey where my uncle was a member. He was member for nearly 50 years and I made many visits. I met the monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey when I attended their seminary, eventually earning a Masters of Theological Studies. It was during many trips to the Abbey Library that I discovered the writings of Thomas Merton.

As the discernment process progressed, I realized I was not cut out for the life of a diocesan priest. I was, however, very interested in the possibility of becoming a monk. During this time I traveled to many Benedictine and Trappist monasteries in the United States. In 1999 I had the opportunity to travel to Europe and visited monasteries there as well.

In the mid-90s I visited Saint Benedict's monastery in Snowmass, CO multiple times. They had an observancy program where lay people could live with the monks for 6 months. I wanted to test my monastic vocation by joining that program. But it was not to be. I was laden with school debt and could not figure out a way to live at the monastery while fulfilling my payment obligations.

Eventually, I attended Washington Theological Union (WTU) in Washington, DC and received a Masters of Arts in Christian Spirituality. I also received a Certificate of Carmelite Spirituality and a Certificate of Franciscan Spirituality. I then pursued a PhD in Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. I discontinued studies after a year and a half.

Today, I am happily married and have a child. I cannot imagine life without my wife and our daughter. Nonetheless, I have remained interested in Christian monasticism.

My work and education histories can be viewed on my LinkedIn profile.