What is piety you ask?  To take time for consideration.  …  For what is as integral to the worship of God as that which he himself urges in the Psalm: ‘Be still and know that I am God’?  This certainly is the essence of consideration.   What is as valuable as consideration which benevolently presumes to […]

Due to several cancellations, there are five rooms available at the Retreat House this weekend—Sept 22-24.  Please call 540-955-4383 or e-mail information@hcava.org  asap if you would like to come on retreat this weekend.

Please be aware that because this Tuesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption, Holy Mass will be at 10.00 a.m. Then, on Wednesday, August 16, Bishop Michael Burbidge will be making his annual Pastoral Visit to the community and, again, Holy Mass will be at 10.00 a.m.

In all the four gospels, if I remember right, Mary is heard to speak only four times:  first to the angel but only after he had spoken to her once and yet again; second to Elizabeth, when the voice of Mary’s greeting caused John to leap in her womb and Elizabeth magnified Mary, but Mary […]

On Saturday, June 17, our monastic community had the special joy and grace of celebrating the Profession of Final Vows by our Brother, Mary John Blaschik. This solemn ceremony occurred in the presence of Brother John’s family, close friends, and other monastic guests. It was significant for the monastic community in that it was the […]

Please be advised that the Gift Shop will be closed for the next two Saturday mornings. That is, on June 10 and June 17. However, on both those days the Gift Shop will still be open in the afternoon from 2.15 until 4.15. Then, from Saturday, June 24, onwards the Gift Shop will be open, […]

Good News! The smaller fruitcakes are now once again available in the Gift Shop—for now the price (without tax) remains $25.00. The large round cakes will become available later in the year.

 O happy the humility of those who repent; O blessed the hope of those who confess.  How mighty you are with the Almighty; how easily you conquer the unconquerable; how quickly you turn the dreadful judge into a devoted father.  We have heard today to our great edification of the prodigal son’s sorrowful journey, tearful […]

Thursday of the 5th WK of the Year: Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 7:24-30       This Syrophoenician woman, a pagan, refuses to be sidelined by Jesus. Being as insightful and patient as she is courageous and desperate, she meets Jesus on his own ground, his own logic and opens his eyes to a broader mission than just […]

We are happy to announce that the Chapel is once again open to the public. However, please be aware that the monastic community recently experienced an outbreak of Covid in which most of the monks were sick. Although we have recovered, it is well to remember that entering the chapel does place you at some […]