The monastery was under clouds and light rain through most of the weekend making the walk from Retreat House to the Abbey Church a wet one. Several of our Retreatants still walked every single time for the Office.
During our two days as community within community we got out of bed at 3 am (to the tune of a loud ‘singing bowl’ rung through the halls), prayed Vigils, Lauds, mid-day prayer, Vespers and Compline and of course participated in the Mass each day.
This MIW had a special feel to it, to me. There was a real strong sense of community that we created in our two short days. Many attendees commented on that during the last Conference and the wrap up lunch. They said it was a variety of things including the silence, the similar clothing we wore, the words of our conference teachers.
As always one of the highlights of the weekend was the last act of the weekend: the Abbot, Br. Efrain, Br. Aelred and Father James came down to see us off from the Retreat House. This informal gathering has become a wonderful conclusion to our time together and you could feel the familiarity we had with each other. St. Benedict would have liked that…
Men are reminded there is another MIW in September which lasts for four days. If you would like to apply to attend send an email to companions@virginiatrappists.org and tell us why you want to attend and what you hope to get out of it.
Rick Barnes says
A big thank you to Kurt, the wonderful monks, Abbot Barnes and all of my fellow retreat mates!
Hanna says
Had an abusolutely formative experience! I’m haunted right now….Waking up at 3:30 am, had to pray some office….
Deborah Sehpard says
In the group picture there is a light that is bursting forth into the room – uncontainable. As if to enfold us all in a big embrace, the light stretches to include us all: like the love of God, like life in Community, like our private times of prayer and contemplation, like this weekend!
This weekend was filled with transformation and I’m thankful for the presence of each and every one of you. So grateful to Holy Cross for its welcoming hospitality in all things. Blessings my brothers and sisters on your continued journeys.