The General Chapter Abbot Joseph departed for the General Chapter of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance on Sunday, 3 September. The overnight flight from Dulles to Fumicino, Rome allowed him to begin his trek to Assisi on the normal arrival day for the various superiors coming from all around the world. A […]

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 This Thursday is the Patronal Feast of our Abbey and is, for us, a non-work day. The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, as on a Sunday; Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM). Fr. James will preside and preach.

Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 Today Jesus gives us some practical advice when someone in the community does wrong. For all its wisdom, it is not fool-proof. Jesus describes three steps, addressing what to do when someone will not listen; but even the third attempt may not resolve the situation. Why? At each […]

Faith grows by tribulation and conquers burdens of tribulation by patience and prayer. Faith is helped by prayer so that it may not fail and may have the strength to overcome the force of temptation. But it is helped especially by the prayer of him who said to Peter, I myself will pray for you, […]

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 […]