Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 It has sometimes been claimed that the quality, fervor and authenticity of monastic life can be gauged by the food served in the monastery’s refectory. Accordingly, frugal fare suggests a fervent community in living connection with its ascetic monastic roots, whereas a sumptuous menu all but guarantees […]

Readings: Acts 4:32-35; Philippians 4:4-9; John 17:20-26 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. There will be no 7:00 AM Mass integrated with Lauds as would usually occur on a Monday. It is a non-work day for the monks and we follow the Sunday schedule. Benediction of the Most […]

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching.

I need truth that I may not be able to hide from the Word of God and grace that I may not wish to hide. Indeed, without both of these, his visitation would not be complete, for the stark reality of truth would be intolerable without grace, and the gladness of grace might appear intolerable without truth. […]

Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the month and our Monthly Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 pm and conclude with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Vespers (5:30 PM). All […]

Readings: 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62 I’m not favorably impressed by James and John’s reaction to the Samaritans but I have to hand it to them: before they act, they run their plan by Jesus and actually listen to him when he doesn’t approve. They’re willing to act as if he […]

During this week I will be observing my annual retreat in solitude; as a result there will be no new posts on the site until I return next Sunday. I realize that the number of posts have slowed down in the past few months. Apart from the usual heavy schedule, I was also dealing with […]

Readings: 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James Orthmann presiding and preaching.  

Readings: Zechariah 12:10-11, 13:1; Galatians 3:26-29; Luke 9:18-24 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. Our national observance of Fathers’ Day is also celebrated this Sunday and we will remember in our prayers and in the Eucharist all our fathers, living and dead. In an era when […]

Readings: 2 Samuel 12:7-10,13; Galatians2:16, 19-21; Luke 7: 36-8:3 Today’s Mass gives us one of the most beautiful moments in all the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry in Israel. The beauty of this moment stands out all the greater by its contrast to the rudeness which it highlights. A woman driven by strong feelings of grief […]