In instructing The Twelve to shake the dust off their feet in places where they are not welcomed or listened to, Jesus may be warning them of the contagious nature of unbelief and how at moments of weakness we can be susceptible to its influence when witnessing unbelief in others. However, this can also be […]
Memorial of Saint Agatha
God’s timing can frequently be at odds with our impatient desires, expectations, and anxieties. Saint Mark doesn’t tell us what was going through the mind of Jairus when Jesus interrupted his journey to establish who in the crowd had touched him. It’s fair to assume that they weren’t happy thoughts as every second that Jesus […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Our Collect asks that we may honor God with all our mind and love everyone in truth of heart. That sounds wonderful—but our Gospel illustrates how difficult that actually is. Those neighbors of Jesus who had come to synagogue that Sabbath, didn’t they believe they were there to honor God with all their mind? Apart […]
Feast of the Presentation in the Temple
In the spiritual life, faith and hope are closely linked to the virtue of waiting in trust for the fulfillment of God’s promises. This can be difficult when spiritual growth seems excruciatingly slow and God’s promises of salvation, freedom from sin, and eternal union with him appear untrustworthy. Simeon, however, seems to have been able […]
Chapel Renovation Wins Global Award
As delighted as we all are with the outcome of our recent chapel renovation, corroboration of our positive sentiments by those outside the community is always welcome—not least when this is offered by experts in the field. Recently, our architect and friend, Tim Machado received the 2018 Award for Liturgical/Interior Design for his work on […]
Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
If everyone who does the will of the Father in heaven is Christ’s brother and sister, does this mean that those who fail to do the Father’s will are not his brother or sister? If so, then who among us can claim (as we frequently do) that Christ is our brother? For who among us […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Cistercian Founders
What is it about monastic reforms that renders them (relatively speaking) short-lived and apparently unsustainable? This question is especially pertinent when you consider that at the heart of these reforms is the resolve to turn from sin and seek holiness through an ever deepening union with God. In other words, the essence of reform would […]
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn
The valiant struggle to end the evil of abortion can, at times, seem as fruitless as that quest for Christian Unity highlighted during this octave of prayer for the fragmented Body of Christ. And yet, even without this noble goal being reached, the very struggle to safeguard the life of the unborn serves as a […]
Stained Glass Window
We are happy to report that the stained glass window (featuring the three angels) has been reinstalled in our chapel after being meticulously and expertly restored. The window was the final detail of our chapel renovation (begun in 2016) allowing us to now declare the renovation complete! We take this opportunity to, once again, thank […]
Saints Maur and Placid
It is something of a paradox that the path to true humility leads to realizing just how great we truly are! Clearly the psalmist (quoted in our first reading) trod this path and in his amazement exclaims: What is man that you are mindful of him? For, you crowned him with glory and honor—and made […]