We’ve enjoyed a busy summer of guests at the Retreat House and it’s been great to share the monastic tranquility with both old friends and people coming here for the first time. If you weren’t able to get a vacancy during the summer, there are some fine opportunities for you during the weekdays of September. […]

Sixteen men and women are slated to spend 48 hours with the monks at HCA soon.  This year’s ‘class’ is comprised of 5 women and 11 men from very varied backgrounds.  During their weekend they will sit in choir with the monks, wearing special choir shirts, and will have several conferences with them including one […]

Readings: Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14 Initially, brain science and the so-called “mind-body” problem seem far removed from humility and taking the last place at table. However, much of our struggle with humility is unconsciously associated with this mind-body problem. As you may know, the mind-body problem concerns the difficulty in […]

My advice to you, friends, is to turn aside occasionally from troubled and anxious pondering on paths you may be treading, and to travel on smoother ways where the gifts of God are serenely savored, so that the thought of him may give breathing space to you whose consciences are perplexed. I should like you […]

Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the Month; Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM). All are welcome to join […]

Readings: Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-14; Luke 14:1, 7-14 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.

Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30 Where I come from, there’s a field of study called “Hebronics” which considers the patterns of thought and speech peculiar to New York City’s Jewish community. One characteristic is to answer a question with a question. For example, ask me, “What time is it?” and I may […]

Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13: 22-30 The community Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James Orthmann presiding and preaching.

Readings: Sirach 3:17-24; Ephesians 3:14-19; Matthew 11:25-30 The community Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, in place of Lauds, Fr. Robert presiding. There is no sermon today. It is a work day so we follow the weekday schedule; there is no Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after Vespers.

Although most weekends have been full, we actually have a good number of openings for the last weekend of the month, 26 through 28 August. Despite the humid and hot days this week, many guests surprised me by mentioning the “beautiful weather” during their retreat. Perhaps the air conditioned retreat house and refreshing summer meals lifted […]