This morning we celebrated, as is celebrated in every Trappist community throughout the world, the Mass of the Holy Spirit to support the opening of the General Chapter. The General Chapter is composed of the superiors of all our communities–the government of our Order–with elected delegates or representatives from each Region of the Order, and […]

Due to rescheduling and reshuffling of plans, we can offer an unusual Wednesday through Sunday slot in November for a stay in our Retreat House. We can now offer you, Wednesday afternoon (after 3:00 PM) on 15 November, through Sunday, noon, 19 November. If you’re interested, please contact Carol Hensley, Monday through Friday, at 540-955-4383 […]

Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20 I believe today’s Gospel is topical but rather dangerous for us who live in an information-driven society. Problems arising from our capacity for rapid communications are distorted information, denial of information, rumors passed off as data. Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” His question evokes […]

Although the Second Vatican Council affirmed the so-called “universal call to holiness,” according to which all Christians are called to be saints, it is not equally clear whether there is also what we might term a “universal call to contemplation.” Indeed, some insist that contemplation is a divine gift that God may withhold from some. […]

I wanted to take some time, not so much to plot out what I would write, but to write from a center of balance and hope. I do not want to write a political polemic–that would not be appropriate for this website. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat and am critical of both […]

The Background: You don’t need this post to realize that posts have slowed down in the last month. It’s not from a lack of news but a lack of time; it’s a question of being practical. On Monday 17 July, we began celebrating on weekdays, as we do on Sundays and non-work days, Lauds in […]

Today’s Feast has long been a favorite of monks–especially those of Eastern Orthodoxy. This is not surprising, considering that monastic life is ideally immersed in the Divine penetrating all of reality with its life-giving presence. And in the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John were given a privileged glimpse of that omnipresent divinity breaking through the […]

Those of us who had the privilege of attending Terryl Kinder’s wonderful lectures on Cistercian Art and Architecture will perhaps recall that series of slides highlighting beautiful and intricate medieval monastic stonework. And while we were admiring the impressive workmanship, she delighted in informing us that we were actually looking at detailed views of monastic […]

Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56 In the last few years I’ve been very taken by one line in the Gospel we celebrate for the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption: Mary set out to the hill country in haste. It’s a verse of transition and speaks of movement, just as the image of […]

Readings 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.