As long as heaven consists of an infinite array of gifts, pleasures, and good things, then the entrance into heaven of someone who has a deathbed conversion will seem manifestly unjust to us who have labored long and hard on our Christian pilgrimage. However, if heaven is not about things but about God and entering […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 20th Sunday of the Year
Twentieth Sunday, Year C, 18 August, 2019: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53 Don’t we know from experience that if we honestly attempt to live the Gospel, we find ourselves at odds with conventional values, expectations and even our own desires? An alternative is flight from my inner conflicts, creating scapegoats and villains, […]
Gift Shop Closing for Solemnity of the Assumption
Please note that the Gift Shop will be closed this Thursday, August 15 in honor of the Solemnity of the Assumption. The Gift Shop will reopen on Friday morning, August 16, at 10.00 a.m.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week
The other morning at vigils we heard of Saint Dominic’s longing to be scourged, cut into little pieces, and thus die for faith in Christ. I wonder if any one of us shares a similar longing—despite the great honor and privilege of dying for Christ. Nevertheless, this does not mean that we are incapable of […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday
Eighteenth Sunday, Year C, 4 August, 2019: Qoheleth 1:2; 2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21 I believe this Gospel is a very timely. We live in a religious culture that can distort the Gospel into a way of achieving prosperity. Some believe that if we behave and follow the prescribed norms, God will reward […]
A Word from our Cistercian Fathers
I am now able to see what I must seek for and receive before I may hope to attain to a higher and holier state. I do not wish to be suddenly on the heights, my desire is to advance by degrees. The impudence of the sinner displeases God as much as the modesty of […]
Retreat House re-opening
The retreat house will re-open after renovations on Friday, August 2nd for the regular weekend retreat. There is still good availability for August and on through the autumn months.
Wednesday of the 16th Week of the Year
As we know, Saint Benedict disapproves rather strongly of what he terms “murmuring” in the monastery. Similarly, the grumbling of the Israelites in the desert, is not favorably received by the Lord. Grumbling or murmuring against God ceases for one of three reasons: The first and most obvious is when God is believed to have […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 16th Sunday of the Year
The great mystic, Teresa of Avila, used to lament the fact that her soul was like a dirty and unkempt inn wherein she, nevertheless, welcomed her Lord. However, unkempt or not, she welcomed him whose coming and abiding within her would—as he did in the temple—cleanse her of all defilement and transform her! I am […]
Wednesday of the 15th Week of the Year
According to Saint Bernard, curiosity is the first step of pride. If this is true, what are we to make of Moses’ curiosity about the burning bush that was not consumed? After all, he was known as the meekest man on the face of the earth—a quality that is the very opposite of pride. One […]