Last month, 19 Buddhist monks, and their loyal dog, Aloka, paused in downtown Montgomery during a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace. Their quiet prayers, chants and reflections at City Hall and the state capitol caught the attention of locals.
For many, encountering monks in Alabama can feel unexpected and leaves locals feeling curious.
Are there monks in Alabama? Let’s just say, they’re not just visitors. Here’s what we know.
Are there monks in Alabama?
Yes, Alabama does have monks. The state’s only male monastic community lives at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, home to 30 Benedictine monks. There are also cloistered Dominican nuns at the Dominican Monastery of St. Jude in Marbury…