The glorious feast of the Ascension was the happy occasion of our Brother Richard’s clothing in the Cistercian Habit. He joins Brothers Mark and John in the novitiate for two further years of preparation for first vows. The reception of the habit is usually a moment of special grace, not only for the novice, but […]
Summer Retreats at the Abbey
As the end of the school year looms closer on the horizon, whether you’re a student or a teacher, this is a prime time to plan for some silent retreat time at Holy Cross Abbey. If you’re neither a student nor a teacher, this still may be a good time for a break, perhaps as […]
A Final Feline Update
I’m sure someone will be interested in this news, but this post is primarily a big Thank You Note to all the people who have helped us. First of all, our thanks to the five generous households who took in all six kittens. No kitten had to go to a lonely home–either they had the […]
New icon of Our Lady
Recent and upcoming additions to our newly renovated chapel include the new Icon of Our Lady the new altar, installed in September (you can follow the link for more details) and a bell tower, coming soon! Every Abbey church of our Order is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. This is reflected in […]
Photos of Abbey Kittens for adoption
See original post here: Monastic Kittens now available Or use the Contact Us button to make and inquiry with Carol.
MIW-more photos
Here’s a photo of the MIW Class of ’17 in choir during Lauds today… And here you can hear them at the beginning of the Office singing the hymn and beginning the first Psalm of the Office…sound pretty good! Our ninth Monastic Immersion Weekend is in full swing and the 15 people attending […]
Congratulations to Dom Joseph Wittstock, Abbot elect of Holy Cross Abbey
This morning the conventual Chapter of Holy Cross Abbey voted Fr. Joseph Wittstock as our new Abbot. The election was declared by Dom Damian Carr, our Father Immediate and is presently being confirmed by our Abbot General, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald, in Rome. Dom Joseph was elected to a six year term. At noon today, the Chapter members will […]
Monastic Immersion Weekend in September
Many have inquired about the MIW (see the drop down menu Take Part on this home page)… now there are only four more spots left for the one Monastic Immersion Weekend scheduled for this year (September 16-18). Remember this is for men AND women so if you are interested I would send email quickly (companions@virginiatrappists.org) or […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 24 April, 2016
Readings: Acts 14:21-17; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:31-35 Sometimes you get lucky. Maybe it’s bingo and all the numbers called fall right onto your card. Or a truck pulls out of the very parking spot you wanted and you slide right in. Or the flashing lights on the state trooper’s car behind you on the highway […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C, 17 April, 2016
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Revelation 7:9, 14-17; John 10:27-30 “Jealousy makes you nasty” is a phrase I remember from childhood–an accusation often sung in a taunting and shaming manner. Now whereas the childhood situations that provoked this taunt may have been trivial and inconsequential, jealousy in adults can be anything but inconsequential. We heard a powerful […]