The Gospel according to Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 While we are renovating the abbey church–and even while we were discussing the renovations–Abbot Joseph has encouraged us to examine our liturgical practices and experiment, re-inhabit our liturgy. Even though today’s Solemnity is a work day, we have integrated Lauds with a more solemn form of the […]

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:!0; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day and we follow the Sunday schedule. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM).

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24 The First Vespers of the Feast will be celebrated Sunday afternoon, replacing the Second Vespers of the Third Sunday of Lent. The Solemnity is transferred to Monday, 20 March to allow the full Lenten cycle; the Third Sunday of Lent initiates […]

Readings: Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-15 The community Mas will be celebrated at 10:00 AM in the Chapter Room, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.

The MIW weekend, May 19-21 is now full so we won’t be taking any more reservations at this time.  We will, as in past years, create a waiting list in case someone cancels…if you wish to be placed on the waiting list please send email to       kurt@virginiatrappists.org.  

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-19 Living in the shadow of the Blue Ridge has made me sensitive to mountains in Matthew’s Gospel. It makes sense to me that when Jesus goes up a mountain, something special will happen. Perhaps there’s an important clue in the first ascent: Satan takes him up a […]

Since you all did so well with the change in time for Sunday Mass from 11:00 to 10:00 AM, I thought it was time for a new challenge. Actually, this isn’t my idea at all and since World War II is long over I really can’t fathom the necessity of Day Light Saving Time–not the […]

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-19 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. Last Sunday went very well with both monks and guests arriving on time, no late arrivals expecting an 11:00 AM Mass! Fr. James will preside and preach.

Readings: Isaiah 49:14-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 6:24-34 One of my childhood memories growing up in South Africa, is that of a popular radio show called “The Money or the Box.” Participants from a live audience had to choose between a known sum of money and a box whose contents might be anything from a […]

Last Wednesday at the Mass for Ash Wednesday, Abbot Joseph offered a brief reflection after the Gospel which certainly spoke in a very concrete way to the monastic community. But while I was listening, I couldn’t help but think that it would be helpful to a number of our readers. This is Father’s entire reflection: As […]