The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching; this Sunday’s Introit sings, “You heavens, shower dew from above, you clouds rain down the just One”. At Vespers on 21 December we sing the solemn Magnificat Antiphon, “O Radiant Dawn” the peak of the seven antiphons preceding the Christmas […]
Fr. Robert’s Homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December, 2014
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2; 10-11; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8; 19-28 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice! Because of these first words of today’s Mass every year, today is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “rejoice”. We have come more than half way through Advent and we are starting to get […]
Third Sunday of Advent, 14 December, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching.
Fr. Maurice’s Return
After over fourteen years as chaplain to our nuns in California, Fr. Maurice Flood has returned to Holy Cross Abbey. Maurice was at our Lady of Redwoods Abbey, in Whitethorn California, during a crucial transition from its Belgian foundresses to becoming a thoroughly American community. Two sisters from Belgian, now U.S. citizens, are still with the community as […]
“What Time is Midnight Mass ?”
It wasn’t much of a joke–or perhaps guys never outgrow sick jokes and a sophomoric sense of humor–but every year we’d gear up for the inevitable phone call to the Information Center asking, “What time is the Midnight Mass?” Clearly, the only time Midnight Mass could take place was midnight; but, of course, that wasn’t […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; II Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8 When I hear today’s Gospel, I recall the majesty of the opening of Handel’s Messiah. The religious imagery of Handel’s era was positive and uplifting, full of light and hope girded with optimism. But hope and optimism are two very different things, hope engaging realities while […]
Monday, 8 December, 2014: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph presiding and preaching. This Solemnity is the patronal feast of the United States. Because it falls in the Advent Season, the Second Vespers of the Second Sunday of Advent displaces the First Vespers of the Solemnity. Monday is a non-work day at the Abbey […]
Work in the Benedictine Tradition, Part Six
One way to consider the role of work in Benedictine spirituality is to look up references to “work” mentioned in the Rule. The previous post considered how St. Benedict’s teaching in his time and circumstances was not necessarily the final word on work; what he has to say does not explicitly deal with creativity in […]
Rooms available at the Retreat House
There are many opening available at the Retreat House for the Week 15 to 19 December. All are single-occupancy spaces with a private bath. All retreats are non-directed though a priest is available for spiritual direction or confession. There are also openings for the “short week” 22 to 24 December (the Retreat House is closed […]
7 December, 2014, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. It is the first Sunday of the month and Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM. All are welcome.