There is a significant difference between the person seeking a sign from God because he or she doesn’t fully trust God, and the person who seeks a sign in order to discern God’s will and intention. Gideon’s fleece was an instant of the latter, whereas Zechariah’s incredulity an example of the former. Between these two, […]
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2025
For those wishing to join us in celebrating the Christmas liturgies, here are the times for Masses: Christmas Vigil and “Midnight Mass” Wednesday evening, December 24, at 8.30 p.m. Christmas Day Mass Thursday morning, December 25 at 10.00 a.m.
Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Being a nation of immigrants, the attempt to trace our ancestors and draw up a family tree is a popular one. However, in some cases the family tree can be a source of embarrassment as less than noble members are uncovered—members we might prefer to exclude from our ancestry. And yet, as we listen to […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
Saint Augustine makes the interesting assertion that littleness is proper to great souls, whereas pride, is the misleading greatness of the weak. He goes on to add that the truly humble person has no wish to excel in things that are going to pass away but fixes his or her thoughts on things eternal. In […]
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Approving an apparition of Mary as “authentic” comes only after careful and rigorous investigation by the Church. Our Lady’s appearance at Tepeyac was one that has been thus authenticated. However, there is a sense in which even authenticated Marian apparitions are inauthentic. By this I mean that visionaries never actually see Mary as she now […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
“Prepare a way for the Lord.” Brethren, we prepare the way of the Lord as we are bidden to do by walking along it; and we can walk along it only by preparing it. However far you journey along it, the way is always waiting to be prepared, so that you must start afresh from […]
Retreat House Openings
Due to an unforeseen cancellation, the following dates at the Retreat House have become available: January 19-23, 2026 – Monday-Friday Retreat January 23-25, 2026 – Friday –Sunday Retreat The two may be combined if desired
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
The distinction between an imminent and transcendent God may seem little more than one of those specialized domains of erudite theologians that have only limited interest or relevance to you and I. And yet, nothing could be further from the truth. For Christians the notion of an imminent God—one present among us and in our […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the First Sunday of Advent
Although we are edified—and even amazed—by those saints who died very young, some understandably wonder what these same saints might have become, had they lived long lives. Would they have been able to sustain their admirable virtues despite the simple spiritual “wear and tear” of a long life lived amid the inevitable trials and temptations […]
Fruitcake Update
As in past years, our fruitcakes are selling quickly and will soon be all gone. In order to meet the high demand, our monks have devoted their time to baking extra fruitcakes. This means that our much-loved Chocolate-covered Fruitcake Slices—though dearly hoped for—will not be available this Christmas season. They are especially labor-intensive, and with […]