Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Because the date of the Solemnity (25 March) fell on Palm Sunday, its celebration has been “translated” to the day after the Easter Octave. It is a non-work day for the monastic community […]
8 April, 2018: The Second Sunday of Easter, “Divine Mercy” or “Low” Sunday
Readings: Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for Easter Sunday
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9 Why are those closest to Jesus so disoriented on the morning of the resurrection? Hadn’t Jesus foretold his rising from the dead? It’s as if they don’t remember what Jesus said. Isn’t memory tricky? Anyone over sixty knows that! And the older I grow, I’m more interested […]
ABBOT JOSEPH’S EASTER VIGIL HOMILY
The very practical and simple question Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome ask: Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb, is one that these two faithful and brave disciples don’t actually have an answer to as they approach the tomb. And yet, their grieving […]
Feline Update
There are only four kittens left, waiting for adoption. They are very friendly, lively and entertaining, suited to either apartment, house, barn or farm. Their mother is a great mouse catcher with no interest in birds. Anyone who is interested, please contact the Abbey through the comment box.
Easter Schedule
Saturday, 31 March, 8:30 PM: The Paschal Vigil. The Vigils begins in the cloister with blessing of the Paschal Fire and Paschal Candle; we process to church for the Liturgy of the Word with the Vigil Readings, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Eucharist. Sunday, 1 April, 10:00 AM: The Easter Day Mass Sunday 1 April, […]
FR JOSEPH’S HOMILY FOR HOLY THURSDAY
It has often struck me as a strange and seemingly unnecessary instruction for the Israelites to mark their doorposts and lintels with the blood of the lamb so that the Lord seeing the blood might pass over their homes and not destroy their firstborn. When one thinks back to the various plagues, the land of […]
Schedule for the Sacred Triduum, Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday
NB: the daily monastic schedule remains the same with these exceptions: Thursday, 29 March, Holy Thursday: 4:30 PM–Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament Friday, 30 March, Good Friday: 11:00 AM–Good Friday Psalter Friday, 30 March, Good Friday: 4:30 PM–Good Friday Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and Death, with the […]
Palm Sunday, 25 March, 2018
Readings: Mark 11:1-10. Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11: the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark, Mark 14:1-15:47 The community Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM, Dom Joseph Wittstock presiding. We begin with the blessing of the palms in the cloister: please enter through Cool Spring House (the “Mansion”). Palms will be distributed at […]
Holy Week Schedule at Holy Cross Abbey
25 March, Palm Sunday: 10:00 AM–Blessing of Palms in the cloister, procession to church for Mass with the celebration of the Passion according to St. Mark 29 March, Holy Thursday: 4:30 PM–Mass of the Lord’s Supper 30 March, Good Friday: 4:30 PM–Celebration of the Lord’s Passion according to John, Veneration of the Cross and Holy […]