Readings: 1 Samuel 26:7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38 Today Jesus challenges each and every one of us to love our enemies. I have met people who believed they loved everyone but I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have difficulties loving his or her enemy. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be so. […]
Spending Holy Week at the Retreat House?
If you are planning to make a retreat during Holy Week, please contact us soon. We still have rooms available, but want to make sure you get your space. The dates are Wednesday, April 17 through Sunday, April 21, 2019. The telephone number is 540 955 4383 or e-mail at information@hcava.org. Thank you and we’ll […]
Chapel Renovation Wins Global Award
As delighted as we all are with the outcome of our recent chapel renovation, corroboration of our positive sentiments by those outside the community is always welcome—not least when this is offered by experts in the field. Recently, our architect and friend, Tim Machado received the 2018 Award for Liturgical/Interior Design for his work on […]
Retreat House will close for July, reopen in August
We will not be taking reservations for the Retreat House for July this year – we are closing for the month of July so we can perform long-term maintenance projects and our employees will take their vacations. We will be closed Monday, July 1 through Friday, August 2. The Retreat House will re-open for the […]
Saturday, 26 January: Feast of the Founders of Citeaux
Saturday is the Feast of the Founders of Citeaux, Saints Robert, Alberic and Stephan. It is a non work day for the monks and the community Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the Second Sunday, Year C
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 We’ve been listening to these readings for decades: recall that water fills John’s Gospel. From John’s baptism, in the first chapter, to today’s Gospel in the next; from the end of Chapter Three when Jesus and John are both baptizing, on to Jesus at Jacob’s well in […]
Stained Glass Window
We are happy to report that the stained glass window (featuring the three angels) has been reinstalled in our chapel after being meticulously and expertly restored. The window was the final detail of our chapel renovation (begun in 2016) allowing us to now declare the renovation complete! We take this opportunity to, once again, thank […]
Reflection for 5 January, the Memorial of St. John Neumann
Readings: 1 John 3:11-21; John 1:43-51 In the light of current events, both in the Church and politics, I believe it’s worthwhile to consider the contribution of Bishop John Neumann (1811-1860). He was an unassuming man from a humble background who profited from a solid education. He lived in very different circumstances than our own: […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for Epiphany
It is to Christ that the guiding star leads us, proclaiming him and pointing him out. It proclaims him in its appearing and points him out by going ahead and standing over the house where he is. Now the star which leads us to Jesus is sacred scripture. Behold, our light has already come because […]
Reflection for 29 December
Readings: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 The older I grow, the more I appreciate the sense of fulfilment expressed by Simeon’s Canticle. Having hopes is a risky business; and carrying hopes into old age is a tricky business. Should I define my hopes too narrowly, if I limit my expectations to my specifications, I could […]