Abbot Robert visited our sisters at Crozet this past Tuesday and reports that their church is nearing completion. Fr. Methodius and Br. Hugh from Holy Spirit Abbey, Conyers, were there to install the stained glass. As some of our readers realize, Conyers has a stained glass studio run by Fr. Methodius and they have executed the windows […]
19th Sunday, Year C, 7 August, 2016
Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48 The community Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. It is the first Sunday of the month and our Eucharistic Adoration begins at 4:00 PM and concludes with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Vespers (5:30 PM). All are welcome to join […]
Thoughts Matter
Last post, I referred to one of Fr. Michael Casey’s books that I read to the guests in our Retreat House. Another book I read to them is Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life by Mary Margaret Funk, OSB. Mary Margaret Funk is a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Beech Grove, Indiana, […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers for August
From Bernard of Clairvaux’s Homily II in Praise of the Blessed Virgin (CF 18 A, pp 30-31) …And the Virgin’s name was Mary. Let us now say a few words about this name, which means “Star of the Sea” and is so becoming to the Virgin Mother. Surely she is very fittingly likened to a […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the 18th Sunday, Year C
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21 It was back in 2009 that a former professor of mine at Loyola University, and her daughter, were tragically killed in a freak accident. They had been driving in the a severe snow storm and had stopped at a red traffic light when a large tree […]
31 July, 2016 Eighteenth Sunday, Year C
Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21 The Community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the Seventeenth Sunday of the Year, 24 July, 2016
Readings: Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13 If I’m expecting esoteric teaching on prayer from the New Testament, I’m going to be disappointed. If I want something for the elite, I’d have to look elsewhere. Of course, I’d be pretty pretentious to appropriate anything elitist when I still have so much work to do on […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Solemnity of Saint Benedict
Readings: Acts 4:32-35; Philippians 4:4-9; John 17:20-26 One of the corrective measures during the post-Vatican II period of Cistercian renewal was the moderation of some of the Order’s ascetic practices as well as the reevaluation of the attitudes and spiritual perspectives that motivated these practices. And in this the Order was seen as reclaiming some […]
A Couple of Books to Consider
The titles I’m about to mention aren’t new to these posts; they’ve both been mentioned in lists of suggested Lenten Books. And anyone who has made a retreat at the Abbey may have heard selections from them during their visit. I’ve revived Br. Stephen’s custom of reading at one of the meals to our guests; […]
Sunday, 24 July, 2016, The Seventeenth Sunday, Year C
Readings: Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching.