• Home
  • About
    • Monastic Life
    • Gallery
    • History
      • Holy Cross Abbey
      • Cistercian Order
      • Property and Battlefield
    • FAQs
    • Videos
  • Take Part
    • Pray with us
    • Visit
      • Service Times
      • Directions
    • Vocation
    • Lay Members
  • Vocation
  • Retreat House
    • Testimonials
  • Cemetery
    • Overview
    • Stones
    • Rules Overview
    • Pricing
  • Store
    • Gift Shop / Porter’s Cottage
    • Bakery Products
    • Webstore
  • Updates
    • News
    • Liturgy
    • Abbot’s Lectio Post
  • Contact

Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

Support Us
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for June

June 1, 2018 by James

You know that in a community of many it is impossible for all to be of the same strength, whether in body or in character, and so the authority of the Rule advises us to bear each weakness with patience, and charity requires us to stoop down somewhat to each. Some other person sees this, and perhaps he begins to envy one whose pain he ought to share. Hence it happens that often in his heart he calls that person happy on account of the thing for which he should count him wretched, bearing his own need with difficulty.

Let this be the fruit of our sermon: that you be always mindful of higher things, because the fullness of humility consists of that. Perhaps the grace bestowed on you on a certain count seems greater than that given some other brother, but if you are a zealous rival, you will be able to judge yourself inferior on many counts. What if you are able to work or fast more than he, but he surpasses you in patience, outstrips you in humility, and towers over you in charity? Why do you meditate in foolish thought all day about what you seem to have? Be more concerned to know what you are lacking!

For the rest, be always mindful of what another possesses and you do not, because this thought preserves you in a humble state and distances you from as falling off into luke-warmness; but even more, it also enkindles in you a desire for improvement. We know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Bernard of Clairvaux, The Third Sermon for Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, CF 53, pp 128-129, 130

Share

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: News

Contact Retreat House

For Guest House reservations
information@hcava.org
540-955-4383

Documentary Trailer

Watch the full-length documentary on the videos page.

More Video

Support Us with a Donation

Contact Us

Newsletter Signup

Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane
Berryville, Virginia 22611-2700
Phone: (540) 955-4383

  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Quicklinks

  • Cemetery
  • Retreats
  • Directions
  • Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Get Involved

  • Pray with us
  • Visit
  • Vocation
  • Support Us

Copyright © Holy Cross Abbey - All Rights Reserved
Website Development and Management by MarketSpark
Maintenance Log -  Webmail -  Admin