After completing a six-month postulancy Br. Paul Smith had the joy of receiving the Cistercian Novice’s Habit—thereby beginning his formal canonical novitiate. The so-called “clothing of the novice” is a special event in the life of the monk (and of the community) as we each recall our own reception of the habit and renew our […]

By the wonderful favor of God’s loving care, in this solitude of ours we have the peace of solitude and yet we do not lack the consolation and comfort of holy companionship.  It is possible for each of us to sit alone and be silent, because we have no one to disturb us with interruptions, and yet it […]

Seventy years ago, today, the founding monks of Holy Cross Abbey arrived in Virginia from our Motherhouse in Massachusetts. We were founded at a time when great numbers of young men were entering our monasteries. Indeed, our founding was a consequence of this happy phenomenon that stands in such marked contrast to the smaller numbers […]

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.”  I love you, O Lord, my strength; through you every hostile power yields to me, worm that I am, and the guile of the ancient Serpent is laughed to scorn by the angels you send to minister to us, so that his desire to hurt is […]

The day in which man/woman goes out to his/her own proper work symbolizes turning towards God in investigation and imitation, to knowing and loving God, and, not least, to delighting in such knowledge and love.  Man/woman has been made in the image and likeness of God for the sake of this knowledge and love; and […]

… he who is guided by the Spirit does not always remain in the same state.  He does not always advance with the same facility. “The course of man is not in his control.”   It rather depends on the guidance of the Spirit who sets the pace as he pleases, sometimes torpidly, sometimes blithely, teaching […]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  A peaceful person repays good for good, as far as in him lies, and wishes harm to no one.  Someone else may be patient and repay no one evil for evil, being even able to bear with the one who hurts him.  There […]

Therefore every soul should look upon God as being his very own, not only helper, but also examiner.  Who could ever become careless if he had his eyes constantly fixed upon God whose eyes are constantly turned towards him?  Again, when God is looking down on him, never at any moment failing to see what […]

Through Christ [God] forgives everything, through the Spirit he charges us with nothing.… And so Christ is in a certain sense the mediator for justice, while the Spirit is the mediator for friendship.  Christ mediates for truth, the Spirit for charity; Christ for forgiveness, the Spirit for safeguarding; Christ for mercy, the Spirit for perseverance; […]