Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Please make other plans for Sunday Mass; once our retreatants are seated, there is no practical room for other visitors and no flexibility for late comers. Communion is a traffic disaster. If anyone had […]
Thirty-third Sunday, Year C, 13 November, 2016
Readings: Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. Last Sunday, fewer visitors assisted at the Sunday Mass in our cramped quarters and the celebration was more manageable. Under the circumstances, our mode of celebration is very much a work-in-progress, and […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 32nd Sunday, Year C
Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-18 I’m sure we’ve all seen and enjoyed those cartoons depicting various scenes of heaven, with winged folks reclining on puffy clouds, strumming their harps or anxiously standing before Saint Peter at the so-called “pearly gates” seeking entry. Interestingly, some of the apocalyptic writings of the […]
Update on Fr. Robert’s Health
Yesterday at the community Mass, Fr. Vincent offered a petition for Fr. Robert’s health as he enters a new phase of treatment. Fr. Robert has been suffering from double vision and balance problems. The latest C-scan shows that there are cancer cells in his brain and his oncologist recommended radiation as possible treatment. Fr. Robert has […]
Construction Has Begun on the Church
Demolition is now complete and the workers have begun renovation of the church at the Abbey. In the meantime our friends are reminded we are using the Chapter Room as a chapel which means there is very little room for visitors. You are encouraged to perhaps attend mass at your local parish church on Sundays […]
Thirty-second Sunday, Year C, 6 November, 2016
Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. We have a full Retreat House and all the guests will be assisting at Sunday Mass and they will just about fill the Chapter Room. Mass is open to the […]
Monastic Immersion Weekend DATE CHANGE
The brothers apologize for the inconvenience but the date for the 2017 MIW has to be changed from May 5-7 to May 19-21. Please be reminded the MIW fills up quickly so if you are interested you should email companions@virginiatrappists.org to reserve a spot. Information on the MIW can be found on the home page […]
Fr. James’ Homily for All Saints
Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a I grew up in a religious culture that often asked, “How does one become a saint?” The presupposition was that there was a procedure that could produce that effect. The question was abstract and generalized. I believe that the New Testament asks a very different question: […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for November
One who is loved has nothing to fear. Since I love, I cannot doubt that I am loved, anymore than I can doubt that I love. Nor can I fear to look on his face, since I have sensed his tenderness. In what have I known it? In this–not only has he sought me as […]
Wednesday, 2 November: Commemoration of All Souls
Readings: Wisdom 3:1-9; Romans 5:5-11; John 5:24-29 The community Mass is celebrated at 7:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding. At 2:00 PM a special form of Midday Prayer is celebrated in the monastic cemetery, just east of the Abbey.