Your humble correspondent has been away for a while taking care of some medical stuff (getting old is not fun) and was wonderfully surprised upon his return today to find the refectory full! My goodness folks we’re bursting at the seams! With three men discerning now, another on his way (no way Jim can escape all the prayers coming from this place for him to be able to make the move) the rest of the community in pretty good health, we have the feeling of a vibrant community again. As I sat and ate my beans and potatoes, listened to Fr. James read, watched the Abbot bless us I had this feeling of great energy and hope. it felt good to be at Holy Cross Abbey.
Add to this the physical improvements like the paint job, the fun of finding the stained glass window and there are good feelings here in Berryville. With Fr. Joseph coming up from Crozet soon to take on the leadership as Prior while the Abbot takes his well deserved sabbatical, the community knows the Holy Spirit is at work.
I remember after our first Monastic Immersion Weekend Br. Benedict caught me in the hallway to say how pleased he was to see all those men around the place. With the twinkle in his eye that only he had he looked at me, winked and said “we ain’t dead yet.” Indeed we ain’t. Our Lady of the Holy Cross is taking the right steps to remain a powerful entity in the church forever.
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