This month’s selection is actually from a Cistercian Mother–St. Gertrude of Helfta. But in what sense was she a Cistercian, since her monastery wasn’t under the jurisdiction of Citeaux? From the earliest days, the monks were reluctant to be responsible for monasteries of women. However, women were directed from the start to Tart, a reformed Benedictine […]

The Mass of the Resurrection for Fr. Paschal Balkan will be celebrated on Saturday, 10 June at 2:00 PM in the Abbey Church. The burial in the monastic cemetery will follow immediately after. Earlier in the day, Fr. Paschal’s body will have been received by the community after Lauds (approximately 7:25 AM). Between that time and […]

I imagine there may be a few people who had met Fr. Paschal who didn’t learn that he was born in South Boston, but very few. Even if Paschal himself had somehow forgotten to mention that he was a “Southie”, his accent would have said so. For all the decades that he lived in the […]

Fr. Paschal Balkan (2 April, 1927 – 1 June, 2017) died this morning at Winchester Medical Center while his community was celebrating the Mass of St. Justin Martyr. Fr. Paschal was in the forefront of everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Details of his funeral celebrations will be posted later.

We’ve had some cancellations at the Retreat House this weekend, so it seemed worthwhile to let you know about that in case the Spirit inspires you to get away from all the noise and busyness to celebrate Pentecost in a more contemplative setting. With all the recent rain, the Shenandoah Valley is lushly beautiful and, despite […]

As some of you know, Fr. Paschal underwent successful surgery on his heart on 2 May and has been recovering at Rose Hill Nursing Home in Berryville. During that time, he has gratefully received the visits and attention from many of you, his friends, concerned neighbors and acquaintances. This morning, he developed pneumonia and has been […]

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. The new sound system has been completely installed and is up and running as of this week; those of you who have waited for this improvement for years may celebrate the […]

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20 The community Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.

Here is an audio of the community with the Monastic Immersion Weekend participants chanting the office of Mid-Day prayer.

Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21 As we draw closer to Pentecost, our readings refer us to the coming of the Advocate–or more correctly–the other Advocate, since Jesus was our original Advocate. This coming of the Holy Spirit is tricky if taken too literally. The image can imply that the Spirit is presently […]