Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Where the Hell is God, sounds like a rather irreverent title for a book written by a Jesuit! And yet the popularity of Richard Leonard’s book suggests that his question resonates with many suffering Christians who, in their spiritual darkness and confusion, desperately seek a God who […]

This is actually the final follow-up to that Merton talk last year. To think we observed that anniversary year of Thomas Merton the week of the terrorist attack in Paris and I’m finally concluding this after the attack in Brussels! That speaks volumes about the wounded world we live in. Do I want to live as […]

24 through 27 March: THE SACRED TRIDUUM Friday, 25 March: Good Friday–4:30 PM–Good Friday Service with the celebration of the Lord’s Passion according to St. John, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion Saturday, 26 March: Holy Saturday–8:30 PM: Paschal Vigil with Blessing of the Paschal fire, Vigils Readings, Mass and Renewal of Baptismal Vows […]

At every celebration of the Eucharist, guests will find a small container of hosts and a paten on a table near the guests’ seating. Anyone intending to receive communion would put a host in the paten–their offering to the gifts prepared after the Liturgy of the Word. On some Sundays, especially during holidays and certain […]

If you are interested in attending either the Women’s Monastic Immersion Weekend April 8-10 or St. Benedict for the Rest of Us April 17 you will want to register quickly.  Both programs are getting close to capacity. To do so: for the MIW send an inquiry to companions@virginiatrappists.org then a $100 deposit to my attention […]

When I was in Catholic grammar school in the 1950’s we were expected to memorize a lot of information for catechism class. Most of us could rattle off the norms for Lenten Observance by rote even if much of that information was not interiorized–as kids not too much was expected of us. The great pitfall, addressed […]

Readings: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 The community Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, replacing Lauds, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding. After the Gospel, the ashes of last year’s palms (from the Sunday of the Lord’s Passion) will be blessed and distributed as a sign of our repentance.

Well, the snow is over for a while, our roads are clear and we’re back to normal, whatever that is in a monastery (perhaps any of us can say the same in any way of life). I’m told that a rather warm week is ahead as we couldn’t imagine last week. Posts may be a […]

Wednesday, 27 January, 1:45 PM:  As of this morning, Castleman Road has been plowed allowing more than single lane traffic. Passage along the road is normal and four wheel drive is no longer required. Area for parking at the Abbey, though hardly normal, is greatly improved this morning; digging out continues and we anticipate normal […]

Plowing the snow has begun at Holy Cross Abbey but as anyone who lives in Clarke County already knows, there is a LOT of snow to clear. We’re heaping surreal and compacted piles of the stuff. We hope to reopen Retreat House on Friday. Of course, the gift shop is closed. Whatever problems remain here, Castleman Road, approaching our […]