The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day and we follow the Sunday schedule with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament following Vespers (5:30 PM). Why all the festivities in Lent? This morning after Lauds (7:00 AM) Abbot Robert will clothe Postulant Aelred […]
Homily for the 1st Sunday of Lent, 9 March, 2014
Readings: Genesis 2:7-9;3:1-7: Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11 What are these three temptations? Do they confront the personality of Jesus or are they addressed to his mission? And what about us? If we are members of Christ, what might these temptations say to us? Over the years I continue to find deeper dimensions to these temptations. […]
Lenten Reading
Most of you are probably aware of the custom of Lenten Reading recommended by St. Benedict’s Rule for monasteries. We read in Chapter 48 of the Rule: …in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are given out at […]
1st Sunday of Lent, 9 March, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding sand preaching.
Ash Wednesday, 5 March, 2014
The community Mass with the distribution of ashes will be celebrated at 7:00 AM in place of Lauds. Abbot Robert Barnes will preside.
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for March
Mercy has welcomed you kindly, revived you with loving-kindness. Fear the judgment, lest the grace given to you in your humility be taken away from you in your pride. You have chosen to be of little account in the house of your Father; you were content to become as one of the hired servants. Remain […]
Humility acording to the Rule of St. Benedict (Part 6)
Without growing in humility, any of our efforts at spiritual renewal would be hollow and fruitless. This is particularly important to us at a community right now, but it’s always important to anyone’s development: humility is inseparable from authentic charity and genuine fraternal love. They are two sides of the same coin because if I […]
Eighth Sunday, Year A, 2 March, 2014
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Stephen Verbest, of New Melleray Abbey, presiding and preaching. Fr. Stephen is this year’s Retreat Director for the Abbey’s annual retreat. This Sunday is the First Sunday of the Month and Eucharist Adoration begins at 4::00 PM; all are invited to join us.
Community Retreat 2-6 March, 2014
The Holy Cross Abbey community will observe its annual retreat from Sunday evening, 2 March, through Thursday, 6 March. The Retreat Master is Fr. Stephen Verbest, OCSO of New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, Iowa. Fr. Stephen serves his community as Novice Director, among other responsibilities and will be giving us one 30 minute conference each evening of […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily for the 7th Sunday of the Year
Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18I Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew5:38-48 Saint Matthew’s Gospel continues to teach us from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This is one of the best known sections of all the Gospels. Going the extra mile and turning the other cheek: we’ve grown up with those phrases. The line from the Old Testament, an eye for an […]