This week we are happy to receive two men who will be joining us for three months to discern their vocation with us. We call them Observers, since they have the opportunity to observe our way of life in the concrete and observe their own responses and reactions to that experience. The two men are […]
Refounding Retreat at Priestfield, 5-9 May, 2013
This past Sunday afternoon, nine of the monks of Holy Cross Abbey drove over to the Pastoral or Retreat Center at Priestfield, West Virginia. One member of this group, Fr. Joseph Whitstock, joined us from Our Lady of the Angels in Crozet, Virginia, where he’s been serving as a chaplain to our nuns. Also with […]
Sunday, 12 May: Solemnity of the Ascension
The community mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. At 4:00 PM, the Monthly Eucharistic Adoration will be observed; Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be celebrated at 5:50 PM after Vespers (5:30 PM). All are invited to join us.
Monks Retreating to Priestfield, West Virginia
I suppose a Retreat is the best word to use, though we–the monastic community–will observe our annual retreat back home, the week after next. But most of the community will be going to to the Priestfield Pastoral Center for the Wheeling-Charleston Dioceses in West Virginia. Only a “skeleton crew” will be on hand at 901 […]
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, 5 May, 2013
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. Although it is the First Sunday of the month, the Monthly Eucharistic Adoration will be transferred to next Sunday, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 28 April, 2013
Readings: Acts 14:21-17; Revelation 21:1-5a; John 13:31-33a, 34-35 Believe it or not, I actually consult commentaries when I preach. However when, as in today’s Gospel, I read a phrase like “As I have loved you, so should you love one another,” a commentary ceases to help. I might gain insight from reading, I might learn […]
A Description of the Stained Glass Window
The window uncovered in the Abbey’s church is a fragment of a larger window, the top of a Gothic arch. How would we know this? For one, the border on the curve of the arch does not continue along the bottom and, more importantly, the design cuts off suddenly at the bottom. It is unresolved […]
The Uncovered Stain Glass Window
Last year, in the course of removing shutters while repainting the Abbey, a stained glass window was uncovered over the church door and porch. At that time, it was still walled over in the interior of the church. A week ago, the wall was cut away to reveal the window. What do we know about […]
Retreat House: Available Rooms, 10-12 May
The weekend of May 10-12 has several rooms available. No deposit is required for such short notice. Should you want to get away for a quick weekend retreat, just give Carol a call at 540-955-4383 and make your reservation.
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for May
That faith is shadowy is a blessing, tempering the light for the eye’s weakness and preparing the eye for the light–for it is written, he cleansed their hearts by faith. Faith, therefore, does not quench the light but protects it. Whatever it may be that the angel sees, it is preserved for me by the […]