069: Medieval Heritage in the Heart of California: Abbot Paul Mark Schwan (Part 1)

Part 1 of this interview explores the rich history of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Roman Catholic monastery in Vina, California. The abbey is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, a monastic lifestyle that began over 1,500 years ago. Abbot Fr. Paul Mark Schwan shares how through the monastery, medieval European monasticism intersected with U.S. westward expansion, touching upon historical figures like William Randolph Hearst and Leland Stanford, and the early years of the California wine industry. We learn about the abbey's foundation in 1955 by monks from Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, as well as the extensive history of the Vina location itself, which was once home to Native American tribes and later became an important site for prominent historical figures in California. The discussion also delves into the medieval stone church purchased by William Randolph Hearst, and its journey to California from Spain. Tune in to discover how these stones connect with present-day Golden Gate Park and their ultimate fate.

00:00 Introduction to the Abbey of New Clairvaux
00:31 Meeting the Monks and Learning the History
01:23 The Monastic Life and Its Origins
06:25 Founding of New Clairvaux
08:12 The Location and Its Historical Significance
10:18 The Property's Previous Owners
16:16 Leland Stanford's Vision and Challenges
26:20 William Randolph Hearst and the Ovila Monastery
33:31 Conclusion and Segue to Part 2

The Abbey of New Clairvaux's Website