Although we are edified—and even amazed—by those saints who died very young, some understandably wonder what these same saints might have become, had they lived long lives. Would they have been able to sustain their admirable virtues despite the simple spiritual “wear and tear” of a long life lived amid the inevitable trials and temptations […]
GIFT SHOP CLOSED
For those who may be wondering, the Gift Shop will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, but reopening on Friday, November 28th at the usual time: 2.15 p.m.
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Christ the King
In the last twenty years (or so) there has been much to discredit the church and seriously question its purported divine origin—it seems all too human, sinful, and earthly. As we know, this has led many to abandon it—a trend that shows little sign of letting up. It is at such painful and difficult times […]
Wednesday of the 33rd Week
Eating a morsel of pork seems such a benign act in exchange for not surrendering one’s body to torture and execution! Surely, bodily life—that precious gift of God—is more important than avoiding some minor infraction of the Law? Still, as we know, this was more than slavish obedience to some arbitrary dietary law. For, eating […]
Friday of the 32nd Week of the Year
The beauty of the fall colors we have witnessed over the last few weeks is just one instance of what the Book of Wisdom describes as expressions of the beauty of the Creator. As Christians the world of nature is—as Saint Bernard observed—the book in which we can read of God and gain some insight […]
Friday of the 31st Week
It is a very evil person who is completely devoid of all virtue. And not being that evil, we surely all possess certain virtues—some of which may be weaker and others more developed. The distribution between weaker and more developed virtues is significantly linked to spiritual, psychological, and physical factors present and operative since early […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Let us honor Mary, …. since she knows the course and outcome of all miseries, she soothes our fears, she awakens our faith, strengthens our hope, drives away our cowardice, and encourages us when we are timid. You fear to approach the Father? Terrified by the mere sound of his voice, you flee to the […]
Fr. James’ Homily for All Saints
1 November, 2025: Solemnity of All Saints: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a I’ve heard some Christians claim that the number one hundred and forty-four thousand of every tribe of Israel are the total of those who “will be saved.” That is not what the text says: rather, a vision of a great […]
Thursday of the 30th Week
Even though Saint Paul lists dire circumstances such as anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, the sword and indeed death itself, as being unable to separate us from the love of Christ, we know all too well that trivial and superficial things can and do separate us from experiencing Christ’s love and presence. These things […]
Holy Cross Abbey
Our Monastery Chapel is, once again, open to the public for Daily Holy Mass and all the Divine Offices. The Gift Shop is also open again and the hours are Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, from 2.15 until 4.15. On Saturdays the Gift Shop is also open from 10.00 – 12.00 Noon, and again from 2.15 […]