A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. Before anything else I think we should consider the grace of the desert, the blessedness of the desert, which right from the beginning of grace has deserved to be consecrated to the repose of the saints. The voice of one crying […]
Reflection for Wednesday of the 34th Week
Readings: Revelation 15:1-4; Luke 21:12-19 Today’s Gospel reminds us of what we may not wish to know: that catastrophe is part of human life, part of discipleship. Not even the Lord who calls us guarantees a smooth path. Catastrophe is not an index of poor choices, just as “success” is not an index of my […]
Unexpected Openings at the Retreat House, 18-21 December
Due to a group cancellation, nine rooms are now available in the Retreat House, Monday, 17 December through the morning of Friday, 21 December. By the way, those are the evenings that we chant the Solemn or “O Antiphons” with the Magnificat at Vespers. If you had earlier tried to reserve a room at that […]
Christmas Schedule 2018
Christmas Eve, Monday, 24 December Vigils, Lauds, Mass, Sext, and None follow the usual Monday times 5:30 PM–First Vespers of Christmas 7:45 PM–Recital of Carols by Madelaine MacNeil, performed in Cool Spring House 8:30 PM–Christmas Vigils followed by the Christmas Night Mass The Gift Shop is OPEN extra hours on Monday morning December 24, 10-Noon, […]
Reflection on the Thirty-third Monday of Ordinary Time
Readings: Revelation 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Luke 18:8-12 For the next two weeks, as we move towards Advent and recall the Second Coming of the Lord, the weekday Mass Readings will take us on a rapid–and condensed–tour of the Book of Revelation. I don’t have to tell you what a cryptic and puzzling book of Scripture this […]
Monastery Fruitcake and Honey for the Holidays
A fruitcake from Holy Cross Abbey is for those who appreciate quality products made from an old fashioned recipe, with choice fruits and nut meats in a brandy-laced batter. Our famous Trappist Fruitcake can be shipped to you, as well as creamed honey and truffles, but ONLY by going online to monasteryfruitcake.org. Shipments can be requested […]
GIFT SHOP HOURS
Please note that the Gift Shop will be closed for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday morning, November 23. Also, we are happy to assure fruitcake lovers that we have an abundant supply of both the larger and smaller cakes—along with many other products from our various monasteries. And whereas the larger round cakes are […]
STAINED GLASS WINDOW
Many inquire about the fate of the beautiful stained-glass window that used to be at the back of the chapel. It is presently undergoing restoration in a very delicate and painstaking process that has taken longer than originally anticipated. However, the good news is that it will be perfectly restored and its return is expected […]
Reflection for Saturday of the 30th Week
Readings: Philippians 1:18b-26; Luke 14:1, 7-11 When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. The tricky thing about today’s Gospel is that Jesus is not proposing a strategy or a technique to shape our behavior. Were I to choose the lowest place just […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for November
O Lord Jesus, true Gardener, effect in us what you demand of us. For without you we cannot do anything. You are the true Gardener, the same Creator who cultivates and protects your garden. You plant by your word, water with your Spirit, give growth by your power. You were mistaken, Mary, when you thought […]