Readings: Genesis 14:18-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11b-17 If you look around here today, you’ll notice that we come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Many of us grew up in families in which food, belonging together and hospitality were not just essential but sacred. I literally grew up in my mom’s kitchen; the rest […]

You live well if you live in an orderly, friendly and humble manner: orderly towards yourself, friendly toward your neighbor and humbly toward God. Live in an orderly way, so that in your entire way of life you are careful to pay heed to your ways, both in God’s sight and in your neighbor’s, guarding […]

The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Immediately following community, we begin adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament which continues through Vespers and concludes with Benediction. All are welcomed to join the monks for exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Everything the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that [the Spirit of truth] will take from what is mine and declare it to you. The bedrock of the Christian faith is our belief that God is one, that there is none beside him. Yet we equally believe that God is three […]

The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching.

The Lay Cistercians of Holy Cross Abbey observed their annual retreat, 24 through 26 May, at Holy Cross Abbey. On Saturday, after Midday Prayer, The professed members renewed their private vows. Abbot Robert reminded them that our life centers on the mystery of God; in centuries past we have attempted to say much, perhaps even […]

This past Friday, Fr. James Stewart returned to the Abbey to continue his Observership. Father had been with us for a month from Palm Sunday at the beginning of this Easter Season; that is all the time he could take from his responsibilities. It’s good to have him back at the other end of the […]

Br. Joseph Vantu, our current prior, greeted the developments of our Refounding Retreat at Priestfield with a heart felt Alleluia. At one discussion he characterized the needed ability to communicate with others according to Lao Tzu’s description of the strong man: he is like water. Flexible enough to conform to a pipe, a well, a […]

The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and Fr. James Orthmann preaching. The monastic choir will chant the proper Sequence of the Day, Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) before the Gospel. Second Vespers of the Solemnity (5:30 PM) will be followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament […]

Thank you to all of you who follow this website and have commented on the Refounding Retreat with your support and prayers and understanding. Abbot Robert has noted that in our challenges, as ageing monks and as a small community, our grace-filled time at Priestfield helps him to see the hand of God in our […]