Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 On this feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross–the patronal feast of our monastery under the sign of the mystery of Christ’s cross–we are God’s witness in the Church to the saving grace of the cross of Christ in our lives. The cross is a profound enigma, […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 24th Sunday, Year B
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-36 Mark’s Gospel begins: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But for the next eight chapters there will be no mention of the title Christ until Peter uses it today. In between, however, Jesus is identified in many ways: a voice from heaven calls […]
Prayer in the Monastic Tradition
I would emphasize today this essential point: that the expression of community prayer in choir has to be rooted in our personal prayer. The external performance of monastic chant, if it is empty of spiritual devotion on the part of the monks and nuns offering it, is quite meaningless. That is obvious. You remember St. […]
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 14 September, 2015
Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians2:6-11; John 3:13-17 This is the patronal Feast of our monastery and is a non-work day for us; we follow the Sunday schedule. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. A relic of the holy Cross will be exposed from Vigils to Vespers for […]
Twenty-fourth Sunday, Year B, 13 September, 2015
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Participants in the Monastic Immersion Weekend will be celebrating with us; please keep them in your prayers.
The Monastic Tradition of Liturgical Prayer
As our readers realize, we are considering the shape of our liturgical life and this can be an opportunity to review the monastic tradition of prayer. We can see it rooted in the Gospels, the Letters of the Apostles and find it expressed in the Acts of the Apostles which we happen to be reading […]
Laudato Si’; Part Six
In his introduction to his Encyclical, Pope Francis mentions that certain themes will reappear in the various chapters, each time viewing them from a different perspective or context. I hope it strikes even a casual reader how frequently he quotes teaching on caring for the environment from the various national conferences of bishops. Apart from […]
Twenty-third Sunday, Year B, 6 September, 2015
Readings: Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:3=5; Mark 7:31-37 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the month and Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM
Volunteer for an Environmental Project at Holy Cross Abbey
If you find yourself inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment or have always wanted to be a part of the sustainability effort at Holy Cross Abbey–or need a good workout–we can offer you an opportunity through September and October. Now that the bird nesting season (15 May through 15 August) is over, we […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers For September
There is an arrow that pierces Mary’s heart: the living and active Word of God that cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword. Of this our Savior said: I have not come to send peace but the sword. A polished arrow, too, is that special love of Christ, which not only pierced Mary’s soul but penetrated […]