Father Maur's Cookies: Artistic angels help bring funds to St. Andrew's Abbey

VALYERMO, Calif. — Despite their commitment to spiritual matters, monks need funds. They, too, have bills to pay.

In Huntsville, Utah, the Trappist monks process and sell honey to make ends meet.

The monks at St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, Calif., make cookies.

At least that's what Father Maur calls them.

And he can call them what he likes. He created them.

In Belgium, where he spends half the year, Father Maur van Doorslaer is a prominent abstract painter whose white-on-white works are often lauded. Back at St. Andrew's in California from May to October, he does his "cookies" — delightful ceramic depictions of the saints and angels of the Catholic faith. These are not stamped-out trinkets for passing tourists but carefully designed works of art painted in the colors of the land around Valyermo and sold around the world. He has been at it for 36 years. And the "cookies" from St. Andrew's are fast becoming popular collectibles for the faithful.

In short, Father Maur's artistry has not only kept the wolf from the abbey's door but has allowed the monks to create a tranquil refuge featuring serene fountains and stirring artwork. His gift has given the other monks the gift of security and stability.

"Father Maur has created about 300 different angels and saints," says Mary Kouf, who was hired as a retail representative. "We have customers in Italy, Australia, England, New Zealand."

Each year, the priest creates new versions for the 600 shops that order his wares. He has come up with angels holding clarinets, hockey sticks, gardening tools, plumber's helpers, quill pens, paint brushes, trombones, pom-poms and dental drills. A whole subset of angels are petting black and yellow Labradors, cocker spaniels, collies, poodles, Chihuahuas, beagles, dachshunds and cats. Another subset are dressed as firefighters, letter carriers, executives, baseball players, skateboarders and clowns. There are "cell-phone angels," "scrapbooking angels," "quilting angels" and "manicurist angels." He has also produced his own version of just about every saint in the book.

Given his prolific output, does he have a favorite design?

Father Maur looks up from carving a new mold and pauses.

"The faceless Madonnas," he says. "I like those very much. I've had to make five different molds for the Madonna, because they wear out."

In the mornings, Father Maur works on the patio of the ceramic shop. In the afternoon, he retires to his studio, a completely white room without decoration or distractions. He has always loved the idea of order, he says. It's why he became a monk. And that choice has led him on an interesting journey.