We’ve had a cancellation for the MIW from April 8-12 meaning there is one room available.  If you are interested, email companions@virginiatrappists.org right away and I will reserve it for you.  $100 deposit should follow…for more information click “Take Part” on the home page and scroll down to Monastic Immersion Week/Weekend.  Registration form will be […]

As we found last year people sign up and then drop off from the Monastic Immersion Week once they get a look at their calendar.  This has happened again for the April MIW (check out “Take Part” on home page) and we now have five slots available.  Remember this one is for men and women […]

Well, the best laid plans of mice and men…we have had to switch the Monastic Immersion Week in September back to a weekend…so, new dates are September 13-15 (rather than September 9-13).  Sorry for the inconvenience, though this may make it easier for more people to attend…and we will be here for Holy Cross Day! […]

If you have been in the Abbey Church for the Daily Office or Mass in the last week or so you’ve seen a new face in choir.  That’s Dan Sebastianelli an observer who is spending his 90 days experiencing life in our community.  Dan is 41 years old and says “I love it here; this is […]

The April MIW is shaping up nicely with an equal number of men and women so far.  If you sent email expressing interest please get your deposit and registration form (sent this week) in to the Companion Office. There are still a couple of slots open if you are interested.  For information on the MIW […]

In many ways the Abbot assigning me a room across from Br. Benedict in the infirmary wing has served as both a standing joke and a blessing.  It was somewhat of a standing joke with Brother Benedict who would wonder out loud to me occasionally that there had to be a message in the placement […]

St. Benedict seems to cover everything in his Rule.  In Chapter 36 he deals with sick brothers and directs the monks:  “Care of the sick must rank above and before all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ…”  We are certainly doing that around here right now.  By last count at least […]

Well, it’s that time again…time to examine our health, consider what we will do differently in our relationships, think about this year being a year of change etc. etc. …ah, the New Year.  The secular world asks us to consider these things and usually asks us to buy something to implement the changes.  Maybe it’s […]

With the end of 2012 fast approaching I would be remiss if I didn’t at least gently nudge and remind you if you are making year end gifts don’t forget Holy Cross Abbey!  So many people have responded to our year end mailing and newsletter…if you were one thank you…if you haven’t yet, well…maybe…would you […]

The community was thrilled to have Cardinal Theodore McCarrick take his retreat at Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey last week.  Here’s some information on the Archbishop: In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed him the first bishop of Metuchen, a newly established diocese in New Jersey, and in 1986, he was named archbishop […]