Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48 I hazard to say that today’s Gospel is the most challenging teaching for any Christian. As much as we propose practices and disciplines to identify ourselves as Christian, the touchstone of the Gospel is this exhortation to radical love, even loving my enemy. And each of […]

First, you have noticed I have not posted new photos of the church.  YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.  It is too beautiful for words, I think.  So I have made a unilateral decision (don’t tell the Abbot) not to post any more photos until it is done and you are invited to […]

Readings: Sirach 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37 Although scrupulosity as a spiritual and moral phenomenon is far less common than it used to be in pre-Vatican II Catholicism, it still occurs and can be extremely distressing to those whose spiritual lives are dominated by it. That gnawing, persisting sense of never truly being able […]

Nightlong have I sought him whom my soul loves. It is a great good to seek God; in my opinion the soul knows no greater blessing. It is the first of its gifts and the final stage in its progress. It is inferior to none, and it yields place to none. What could be superior […]

There will be a change in the hour of the Sunday Mass beginning 5 March, 2017, the First Sunday of Lent. We will begin celebrating Mass at 10:00 AM, rather than 11:00 AM on 5 March. We hope to improve some practical arrangements in monastic housekeeping, respecting our limited personnel. One advantage for our visitors with […]

    Over 150 people attended the celebration of the burial  of Father Robert Barnes last Saturday at Our Lady of the Holy Cross…here are some pictures of the day along with our favorite portrait of Father Robert.  

On January 5, 1942, Robert T. Barnes was born to Mary Evoy Barnes and her husband, Robert Barnes, Sr., of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Robert grew up at their home on Lindale Avenue, Baltimore, with his younger brother Jon, and was a member of Little Flower Catholic Parish. Robert went to public school and attended “release time” for Catholic Instruction […]

FRIDAY, 3 February, the Optional Memorial of St. Blaise and blessing of throats. Throats will be blessed after Mass.   Because of the Church Renovation, Saturday’s Funeral Services will be celebrated in the Refectory; volunteers and monks will help direct you there. All other celebrations (Vigils, Lauds and Vespers) will be celebrated in the Chapter […]

Our blessed Robert passed on to the Lord last night around 9pm quietly and peacefully.  Thanks to all for their prayers.  Details on funeral arrangements will be posted on our web site sometime soon.

Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12 The Beatitudes describe a compelling beauty but a very fragile beauty. Doesn’t each beatitude begin with our fragility, our vulnerability? Have you ever noticed that Jesus is addressing his disciples who have gathered around him? Yes, he saw the crowds but he speaks to his disciples […]