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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

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.

Readings: Revelation 7:2-1, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James Orthmann presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day for the community and we keep the Sunday schedule, with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament following Vespers (5:30 PM).

Readings: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14 One of the disconcerting experiences of our spiritual lives is the unexpected and unwelcome return of old patterns of sin we thought we had permanently overcome or outgrown. And although more obvious in areas like addiction and other compulsive behaviors, it is also evident in […]

Please be aware that the Gift Shop will be closed in honor of the Solemnity of All Saints on Tuesday, November 1 and for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Thursday, December 8.

Readings: Wisdom 11:22-12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2; Luke19:1-10 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM in the Chapter Room. Fr. Vincent Collins will preside and preach. We have very limited seating and people will have to squeeze in six to a pew to permit 30 guests (most times people seem to prefer four to […]

After lunch yesterday a band of volunteer labor readied the Chapter Room as our monastic church for at least the next three months. Five of the fourteen pews from the guest chapel were moved into the Chapter Room and the built in benches around the room have become our choir. Luckily, Br. Martin remembered the […]

Like anyone who had participated in the Abbatial Blessing over a week ago, I was filled with positive impressions and happy memories. I certainly felt that there is reason to contribute a post after the event but was less sure of the approach to take. Fortunately Abbot Joseph used the Blessing as the subject of his […]