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 […]
New openings at Retreat House
UPDATE: We now have openings for MON through FRI, 12-16 October and FRI through SUN, 16-18 October. Interested parties may make a reservation by contacting Carol Hensley by phone at 540-955-4383 or by email at information@hcava.org.
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
… 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 […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
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 […]
A New Member
On Tuesday evening, (after completing two weeks in quarantine), Br. Paul Smith was welcomed into the community during a brief induction ceremony after Vespers. This initiated his one-year postulancy which will be followed by a two-year novitiate. Br. Paul is from Norristown, Pennsylvania where, up until recently, he served as a psychiatric nurse in the […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
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 […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
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; […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
Tribulation which produces endurance is useful; it leads to glory. I am with him in trouble, he says, I will rescue him and glorify him. Let us give thanks to the Father of mercies who is with us in tribulation and consoles us in all our tribulations. …. The hope of glory lies in tribulation, […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Christian, learn from Christ how you ought to love Christ. Learn a love that is tender, wise, strong; love with tenderness, not with passion, wisdom, not foolishness, and strength, lest you become weary and turn away from the love of the Lord. Do not let the glory of the world or the pleasure of the […]
Maddie MacNeil 1940 – 2020
Last Monday, 30 March, before the Governor’s order to stay home, a very small party gathered in Cool Spring natural Cemetery. The air was warm, the sky was cloudless, wild mint, violets and daffodils blossomed in the dappled sunlight under the trees. The birds were singing and butterflies fluttered. I think it was the […]