There are three degrees in the perception of the truth: we must look for truth in ourselves; in our neighbor; in truth itself. We look for truth in ourselves when we judge ourselves; in our neighbors when we have sympathy for their sufferings; in itself when we contemplate it with an undivided heart. The merciful […]
Fr. James Homily for the 26th Sunday of the Year
Readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32 Do you find today’s parable of the two sons good news? I suspect it was as much good news to the Apostles as it was a challenge. I’ll pass over Peter–he’s every preacher’s whipping boy so I don’t need to recall his impetuosity and inconsistency. Instead, think of […]
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 28 September, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers, celebrated at 5:30 PM; all are welcome.
Bringing It Home
In Chapter 38 of his Rule, Saint Benedict stipulates, The meals of the brethren should not be without reading. And so, at the midday meal we eat in silence as one of the monks reads to us. usually there is a substantial book, alternating spiritual subjects with history or biography; it’s not unusual for us […]
25th Sunday, Year A, 21 September, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will conclude Vespers (5:30 PM) and all are welcome to join us.
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Triumph of the Holy Cross, 14 September, 2014
Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 If you’ve ever watched those commercials of researchers testing the safety of new cars by crashing them, you may recall seeing–often in slow motion–the seeming collapse of the entire front of the car. Initially, one’s reaction might be to consider such a vehicle distinctly unsafe and image that […]
Retreat House Availability, November and December, 2014
It is no surprise that the Retreat House is already reserved, weekdays and weekends, throughout October. Everyone wants to visit that time of year to view the autumn foliage along the Blue Ridge. That’s not to say that November and December are not equally beautiful in a different mode. Since, too, many people are eager to prepare for Christmas […]
Sunday, 14 September, Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This Sunday, in the universal Church, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross takes precedence over the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is also the patronal feast of our Abbey. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. This is also the weekend of the Monastic […]
Br. Edward
Br. Edward was experiencing trouble breathing Wednesday evening so Br. Efrain took him to the hospital. He has been diagnosed with pneumonia in one lung and will be in hospital for the next few days. Please keep Br. Edward and our community in your prayers.
Update on Br. Edward
Although Br. Edward is not yet as mobile as before, he is improving and can do much more on his own–sitting up in bed, walking short distances with his walker, for example–than before. He is well assisted by care-takers from Home Instead, supplementing the limited help the community can give. We are all grateful for […]