After nearly two years of patient discernment and prayer our Brother Mark Amaral has come to the realization that he is not called to cloistered Cistercian life. His initial plans are to move to Massachusetts in order to be nearer his family. We are grateful for Mark’s time with 
us and trust that his stay with us will prove to have been a blessing for him—as it has been for us. Mark had a special devotion to our Natural Cemetery and singlehandedly cleared much of the Woodland Rest section of the monastery. We wish him well and ask you to join us in praying that God will continue to lead and bless him in the months and years ahead.