Fire and water are usually considered contraries, with water extinguishing fire, and fire burning away moisture. It is thus interesting that these apparent opposites are both used as images of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, we encounter the Spirit as fire—with tongues of flame coming to rest on the disciples gathered in […]
Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Condemnation of the world (and its punishment) did not require the incarnation; however, salvation did. For, we did not need anyone to instruct us about condemnation and punishment—we experience it all too keenly, see it manifest in one another, and encounter it in the tragic state of our suffering world. Salvation, however, is a different […]
Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
It is one of those perplexing paradoxes of the spiritual life that an increase in signs of God’s power at work in our world can actually weaken both faith and authentic freedom. If we recall that Hebrews defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things never seen, then great […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Only, be grateful for God’s grace; and as you have been transformed into a new creation by Easter’s healing action, so walk always in newness of life. You have been given a share in Christ through the fellowship of faith, by participation in his sacrament, by communion in the Holy Spirit. Strive not only to […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Easter Vigil
According to Saint John’s account of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene initially interpreted the empty tomb as the result of someone having taken the body; however, in Saint Mark’s account she is simply amazed. Now although amazement doesn’t necessarily indicate incredulity, there is an element of not quite believing one’s eyes. Amazement is thus linked to […]
GIFT SHOP HOURS FOR UPCOMING DAYS
Please Note: Gift Shop will be closed this Thursday and Friday afternoon. But the Gift Shop will be OPEN this Saturday morning and afternoon. The Gift Shop will be OPEN on Easter Sunday Afternoon also.
Holy Week and Easter Schedule
HOLY THURSDAY: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 4.30 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY: Good Friday Service 4.30 p.m. EASTER VIGIL: Saturday night at 8.30 p.m. EASTER SUNDAY: Easter Sunday Mass at 10.00 a.m.
Friday of the 5th Week of Lent
The more deficient our self-knowledge, the less likely we are to recognize and acknowledge the truer and deeper motives for our decisions and actions. For, although we may not necessarily act with ulterior motives, we often do act with mixed motives. And it is usually the good motives that we are more conscious of, while […]
A Prayer for Lent
O God, love, who have created me, recreate me in your love. O love, who have redeemed me, whatever I have neglected of your love, amend for yourself and redeem in me. O God, love, who with the blood of your Christ have ransomed me for yourself, sanctify me in your truth. O God, love, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent
I can’t tell from this Gospel who these Greeks are or why they want to meet Jesus. Since they are in Jerusalem for the Passover, do they have some notion of the Messiah, or the Judean subjection to a Roman governor? Are they expecting Jesus to be a Jewish leader, political or spiritual? I can’t […]