You must withdraw mentally, rather than physically, in your intention, in your devotion, in your spirit. Christ the Lord is a spirit and he demands solitude of the spirit more than of the body–though physical withdrawal can be a benefit when the opportunity offers itself, especially in time of prayer. To do this, follow the […]
Of Cats, Cabbages and Kings
First, concerning cats…You’re probably more aware than I am that a tsunami can hit Japan and an eyewitness’ video from an smartphone can appear on Youtube and there will be thousands of viewers in the first minute. On the other hand, someone can post on Youtube yet another video of a cat snoring or playing […]
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Monday, 2 February, 2015
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 This Feast, forty days after Christmas, celebrates the public recognition of the Infant Messiah’s entrance to the Temple, his Father’s House; the Blessings of Candles and procession will replace the usual Entrance Rite of the Mass, celebrated at 7:00 AM. Abbot Robert Barnes will preside; there is no homily […]
Fourth Sunday, Year B, 1 February, 2015
Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; I Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark1:21-28 It is the First Sunday of the month and Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM and conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Vespers (5:30 PM).
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Founders of Citeaux, 26 January, 2015
Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Acts 4:32-35; Mark 10:17-30 The call of Abraham described in our first reading resonates in a very special way with many monks who, in various ways and degrees, also perceived a call to leave their land, relatives and their father’s house to a land that God would show them. And although for many this has […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily for the Third Sunday, Year B, 25 January, 2015
Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Repent and believe in the Gospel…The world in its present form is passing away. The fact is, these words have always been at the very heart of the Gospel, at the very core of Christian life. We really don’t have here a lasting city. The time is […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Second Sunday, Year B, 18 January, 2015
Readings: I Samuel 3:3-10, 19; I Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; John 1:35-42 With the on-going development of information technology and the growing availability of the internet, it is now possible to take “virtual tours” of museums, art galleries, palaces, cathedrals and the streets of foreign or distant cities. However, as amazing and enthralling as virtual reality […]
The Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux, 26 January, 2015
The Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux celebrates the origin of the Cistercian reform, beginning in 1098. Sts. Robert of Molesme, Alberic and Stephan Harding, all part of the founding monks of Citeaux and the Abbey’s first three Abbots, are remembered by name among the other anonymous founders. It is a non-work day for our […]
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 25 January, 2015
Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; I Corinthians 7: 29-31; Mark 1:14-20. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. The Mass for the Third Sunday of the year replaces the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul; this Sunday concludes the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity.
St. Anthony of the Desert
This past Saturday, 17 January, we celebrated the Memorial of St. Anthony of Egypt–also known as St. Anthony the Great or St. Anthony, Abbot. He became one of the great monastic models, in the East and West, thanks to the biography about him written by St. Athanasius of Alexandria. At Vigils that day we […]