These sacred days of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery begin with a meal. Not just any meal but the very Passover meal which Moses commanded the Israelites to commemorate–the covenant of blood that the Lord God made with his Chosen People when he freed them from slavery in Egypt. Now the Son of God has transformed […]
Once I am lifted up from the earth…
After a ministry of concealing his identity, Jesus allows the people of Jerusalem to greet him as the Messiah on Palm Sunday. There is a real change of direction here., as if we are again picking up the loose threads from his earlier manifestations: his manifestation to the shepherds, that we celebrate at Christmas; or to the Magi, […]
Lent, Conversion and Humility
A number of important events have interrupted my reflections on St. Benedict’s teaching about humility. It is natural for many Catholics during Lent, especially of an older generation, to recall our sinfulness and seek effective ways to amend our lives. Although there is a guilt-ridden way to acknowledge our sinfulness, which is a dead-end, there […]
Monastic Immersion Weekend Concludes
The monastery was under clouds and light rain through most of the weekend making the walk from Retreat House to the Abbey Church a wet one. Several of our Retreatants still walked every single time for the Office. During our two days as community within community we got out of bed at 3 am (to the tune […]
Excerpts from Abbot Robert’s Exhortation to Br. Aelred Joseph
The clothing ceremony begins with the Postulant requesting “the mercy of God and of the Order.” In Response the Abbot offers his exhortation to the candidate about to assume the responsibilities of the Novitiate. This morning Abbot Robert Barnes exhorted Br. Aelred Joseph: You have asked for mercy, the mercy of God and of the Order. You […]
Why Monastic Immersion?
Occasionally I am asked about this thing we call monastic immersion here at Holy Cross Abbey. Seldom does someone ask because they are ‘against it’ or question its validity; it’s more that people want to hear why people WANT to be immersed in monasticism? What is it about monasteries and the Rule of St. Benedict […]
Lenten Reading
Most of you are probably aware of the custom of Lenten Reading recommended by St. Benedict’s Rule for monasteries. We read in Chapter 48 of the Rule: …in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are given out at […]
Humility acording to the Rule of St. Benedict (Part 6)
Without growing in humility, any of our efforts at spiritual renewal would be hollow and fruitless. This is particularly important to us at a community right now, but it’s always important to anyone’s development: humility is inseparable from authentic charity and genuine fraternal love. They are two sides of the same coin because if I […]
Now for something totally different…
Many of us probably remember Monty Python’s Flying Circus as an integral part of our university years. If you don’t go that far back, I understand that the old guys have taken their stuff on stage, recycling their old material. John Cleese had said something like, “It’s what the audience wants…and it’s easier for us […]
The Living Context for Humility
Last Sunday I reviewed why the focus on St. Benedict’s teaching on the monastic virtue of humility is so apt for this moment of out community’s life. We have taken up the challenge to re-founding our community. Holy Cross Abbey has existed for over sixty years. Most of those who were here in the days […]