A dozen landowners, educators, farmers and civil servants from four neighboring counties in Northern Virginia were honored today by the Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District. All the awards recognized contributions to good stewardship of the natural environment. Among the honorees was Holy Cross Abbey, receiving the Outstanding Conservation Farm Award. Aside from improving our conservation of energy […]
“Saving Place, Saving Grace”, Saturday, 7 November 2015
This post is more than a little overdue but I was having computer problems over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, 7 November, Holy Cross Abbey once again hosted an event to introduce our friends to the film Saving Place, Saving Grace. The event began with a short prayer service, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding, for the healing of […]
Anniversary
This Wednesday, 18 November, is the Sixty-fifth anniversary of Holy Cross’ founding from Our Lady of Refuge in Rhode Island. We thank God for all those who were our founders that day and those who came here to join them, however briefly or permanently, and now rest in our cemetery. We ask God to continue […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 33rd Sunday, Year B, 15 November, 2015
Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14; Mark 13:24-32 Since All Saints Day we’ve been hearing more and more from the Book of Revelation, The Apocalypse, both at Mass and in the Divine Office. Our weekday Gospels have been dwelling on things coming to an end and today’s Gospel had been called the Apocalyptic Discourse of Mark’s […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Solemnity of All Saints
Readings: Revelation 7:1-2, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 In his tribute at the funeral of Princess Diana, her brother, the Earl Spencer, warned against the temptation to canonize his sister. To do so, he said, would be to miss out on the very core of her being–her wonderful sense of humor, her joy for […]
The Monastic Liturgy in the Benedictine Tradition: Monastic Feast Days
The month of November focuses on the completion of time, what we’ve traditionally called the Last Four Things: death, judgment, hell and heaven. The Liturgy captures this in the celebration of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls at the very beginning of the month. The Commemoration of All Souls does not go back […]
Thirty-Second Sunday, Year B, 8 November, 2015
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.
Monastic Prayer in the Tradition of the Rule of St. Benedict, continued
St. Benedict built on the teaching of St. John Cassian and St. Basil the Great, as well as the practice of the Church of Rome which he had learned in his brief student days in that city. For anyone who is interested, RB1980 has a thirty-five page essay on the liturgical practice that St. Benedict […]
A Word From The Cistercian Tradition For November
O God, Love, who created me, recreate me in your love. O Love, who have redeemed me, whatever I have neglected of your love, amend me for yourself and redeem me. O God, Love, who with the blood of your Christ have ransomed me for yourself, sanctify me in your truth. O God, Love, who […]
Monday, 2 November, 2015; Commemoration of All Souls
The Office of the Dead will be celebrated throughout the day. Lauds will begin at 7:00 AM; at the conclusion of Lauds, the concelebrants will vest and the Mass of the Day will follow. Midday Prayer will be celebrated at 2:00 PM; weather providing, Midday Prayer will be celebrated in the monks cemetery to the […]