Arizona Filmmaker’s Labor of Love: The Holy Trinity Monastery

Entering the grounds of the Holy Trinity Monastery is a reprieve for the senses. It's hard to believe this beautiful oasis of tranquility is nestled in the heart of Cochise County in Arizona.

Once a thriving Benedictine community, the monastery's story weaves faith, nature, and the enduring human spirit.

Documenting Faith with Kathy Lara and Thelma Meyers

Cochise County filmmaker Kathy Lara is on a quest to find faith and beauty across Arizona. Kathy met and documented the journey of faith of Thelma Meyers and her 30-plus years of service at the Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, Arizona.

The Holy Trinity Monastery is located off Historical Highway 80, past Benson just before Tombstone. Holy Trinity Monastery continues to be a place of tranquility and peace.

Started in 1974: St. David's Holy Trinity Monastery

Founded in 1974, this spiritual haven is an island of calm for anyone on a quest for peace and purpose. The monastery grounds are a blend of divine architecture and natural beauty.

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The sacred space is set on 132 acres and offers space for reflection. The grounds are replete with old-growth cottonwoods that thrive alongside the nearby San Pedro River.

An Act of Love: Caring for the St. David Monastery

Thelma Meyers and her husband Verne traveled from Granger Iowa and began volunteering at the monastery in 1990. Verne passed away 11 years ago, but 91-year-old Thelma continued their shared vision.

While Thelma says this is her last year volunteering at the monastery, she loves to offer tours of the peaceful space. What she misses most, she says, is the daily mass they once held; it was the height of her day.

Why Visit the Monastery in St. David?

According to Thelma, people visit the monastery for a variety of reasons. Some stop to visit loved ones interred in the cemetery. Some come for contemplation or prayer, while others leave petitions for prayer. Over the years, she's seen some of the same people return again and again.

Over the years, Thelma has done a variety of tasks on the grounds, from running the thrift store to retouching paint, and a variety of odd jobs to help keep the monastery in top shape.

Restoring the Stations of the Cross

Her proudest achievement was a shared vision between Thelma and her husband. As a labor of love, Thelma and Verne worked to restore the monastery’s Stations of the Cross display.

They first replaced the worn-out markers with wood stations, but quickly learned the desert's termites made short work of them. So, they came up with a new plan, something both termite and weather-proof.

Together with artist Ann Cook, who created the images on the tiles, the pair created metal markers to replace the damaged ones. It took years, but the display has now been fully restored.

See the complete story, The Journey of Faith at Holy Trinity Monastery by Kathy Lara (@KathyIsTrending) on YouTube:

Learn more about the Holy Trinity Monastery, visit the cafe, and learn about upcoming events on their Website.