Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 I remember years ago reading a commentary on today’s gospel in which the commentator suggested that altruism and compassion were not what prompted the Rich Man’s plea to Abraham that he warn his five brothers lest they too come to this place of torment. Instead, he […]

As Autumn enters the Valley, the Retreat House is filling up to overflowing. However, there are still spaces available deeper into the Season. 31 October through 4 November, Monday through Friday still has openings. That week the community celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints on Tuesday; and the next day, the Commemoration of All Souls Day […]

Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke16:19-31 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.

Here are  photos of the MIW class of 2016 with Father Paschal Balkan at his conference on Trappist life (right) and Father Maurice Flood after his conference on his time with Thomas Merton (left).  Add a session with the Abbot and choir practice with Fr. James and the class had a wonderful opportunity to spend […]

Readings: Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 A parable starts with the familiar to move me to an unfamiliar perception. Many parables, but not all, use shock tactics to kick me into that other register. Part of my problem with today’s Gospel is that the economy of Jesus’ day shares nothing with our own economy. […]

Please join us at the Celebration of the Eucharist and the Abbatial Blessing of the Right Reverend Joseph Wittstock as the Sixth Abbot of Holy Cross Abbey. To be conferred by the Most Reverend Paul Loverde D.D. Bishop of Arlington . When: Saturday 15 October 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Where: In the Monastery Chapel, 901 Cool […]

Readings: Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. This Sunday participants in the Monastic Immersion Weekend will be with the monks in choir.

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17 The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a good intention offered us by the Church. It honors the wisdom of God for manifesting the extent of his love and compassion for us, his fallen creatures, beginning from our first parents, Adam and Eve, up to […]

As the temperatures drop from tropical to pleasant, as the first glimmer of autumn color begins to highlight the foliage, and as the wispy Sirius clouds of September wreath the intensely blue sky, you may want to think about spending some reflective time on retreat in the Shenandoah Valley. Our Retreat House still has openings this week, […]

Readings: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Timothy1:12-17; Luke 15:1-32 There are any number of famous passages in the four Gospels. One of the most famous is today’s Gospel reading from Saint Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 15:  a lost sheep, a lost coin; the prodigal son. The most famous and, perhaps, most controversial of these is the third, […]