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Saturday after the Epiphany

January 9, 2021 by Fr Joseph Leave a Comment

Today’s gospel reports, rather matter-of-factly, that John the Baptist, upon hearing about his disciples leaving him to join Jesus, responds with the now famous statement: He must increase but I must decrease. Unfortunately, we don’t know if this was as effortless as it sounds, or whether it came at the conclusion of an inner struggle. […]

Filed Under: Abbot's Lectio Post

Fr. James’ Homily for Epiphany

January 3, 2021 by Fr Joseph Leave a Comment

Epiphany of the Lord, 3 January, 2021: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a; Matthew 2:1-12      Isn’t it logical that the Magi begin their search for a newborn King of the Jews in the palace of Herod? But these men are not diplomats or politicians; in English we often refer to them as the Wise Men. They […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers

January 3, 2021 by Fr Joseph Leave a Comment

“Arise, be enlightened, Jerusalem, for your Light has come.”  This present day of lights has been enlightened for us and consecrated by the Light of Light.  He has lain hidden and unknown, but today he has vouchsafed to reveal himself to the world for the enlightenment of all nations.  For today he revealed himself to […]

Filed Under: Featured, News

Fr. James’ Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family

December 27, 2020 by Fr Joseph 1 Comment

Holy Family, 27 December, 2020: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:22-40          The English painter, John Everett Millais exhibited a painting entitled Christ in the House of His Parents in 1850, the heyday of romanticism and the family ideal. The costumes and setting suggest an exotic location and a past time, but the figures […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

A Word from our Cistercian Fathers

December 25, 2020 by Fr Joseph 1 Comment

Although he came to us as a little child, what he brought is not little, what he conferred on us is not little.  If you ask what he brought: first of all he  brought mercy, according to which, as the Apostle testifies, he saved us.  Nor does this benefit only those he found when he […]

Filed Under: Featured, News

Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Christmas Night

December 25, 2020 by Fr Joseph Leave a Comment

Recently, we have been hearing about discoveries of planets thought to be able to sustain life—even human life. These planets are thought to be located within the so-called “Goldilocks Zone” supporting an environment that is neither too warm nor too cold. Authentic Christian and monastic life also requires a “Goldilocks Zone”—one, however, that is not […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Extraordinary Christmas

December 25, 2020 by Fr Joseph 8 Comments

As this extraordinary year draws to a close under the still long shadow of the pandemic, we nevertheless trust God’s mercy and saving love—manifested so very powerfully in the weakness of a tiny infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn. And so we wish […]

Filed Under: Homepage Highlight

Late Advent Blessing

December 20, 2020 by Fr Joseph 3 Comments

After completing a six-month postulancy Br. Paul Smith had the joy of receiving the Cistercian Novice’s Habit—thereby beginning his formal canonical novitiate. The so-called “clothing of the novice” is a special event in the life of the monk (and of the community) as we each recall our own reception of the habit and renew our […]

Filed Under: Featured, News

Fr. James’ Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2020 by Fr Joseph 2 Comments

3rd Sunday of Advent, 13 December, 2020: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28     John the Baptist has something very important to tell us about discipleship, about the spiritual life: he knows who he is not.     Unfortunately we live in a world urging us to label ourselves, selling us ways to […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent

December 11, 2020 by Fr Joseph Leave a Comment

In an age when trees, woods, and forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, the image of God planting cedars, acacias, myrtles, cypresses, and pines in the desert wasteland, is a rather timely and relevant one. God’s intervention is a reminder that the continuing damage being done to our environment is largely the result […]

Filed Under: Abbot's Lectio Post

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Weekdays
3:30 - Vigils
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~7:25 - Mass, after Lauds
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2:00 - None
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Many, many thanks to Holy Cross Abbey and all the monks for being a beacon of light and hope in our world. I am so very, very grateful for being able to come for yearly retreats. That time with God nourishes me throughout the year, always.

-Dawn Peck, Lexington, VA


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