Plowing the snow has begun at Holy Cross Abbey but as anyone who lives in Clarke County already knows, there is a LOT of snow to clear. We’re heaping surreal and compacted piles of the stuff. We hope to reopen Retreat House on Friday. Of course, the gift shop is closed. Whatever problems remain here, Castleman Road, approaching our […]
Monastic Immersion Weekend-Q+A
Since we posted our special event schedule we have received various questions about the Monastic Immersion Weekends. Here’s some answers to the most frequently asked questions: Are Monastic Immersion Weekends for men who want to be monks? Yes and no. These weekends are primarily for laypeople who want to experience monastic life but don’t intend to […]
Holy Cross Abbey Still Inaccessible–Tuesday, 26 January, 2016
Although we are digging out the immediate area around the Abbey, our roads are still clogged. Castleman Road–the County Road–leading to the Abbey has only one lane 0pened and requires four-wheel drive. We hope to report better news by Wednesday.
Holy Cross Abbey is still snowed in and will not be open to the public Monday, 25 January
The Abbey is still not accessible and our roads are not plowed; we have no idea if Castleman Road, especially along the River, is even passable. We’ve contacted this week’s Monday through Friday retreatants to stay at home till be can verify that our roads are clear and the Retreat House is operational. At this point […]
F. James’ Homily for the Third Sunday, Year C
Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke: 1:1-4, 4:14-21 Some scholars have called St. Luke’s Gospel and Acts of the Apostles a “biography” of the Holy Spirit–a bit glib but you get the point. St. Luke certainly underlines the operation of the Holy Spirit from what we Christians recognize as the saints of the […]
Holy Cross Abbey CLOSED TO The PUBLIC, Saturday and Sunday, 23-24 January, 2016
Due to the extreme conditions of the blizzard of 2016 and the snow continuing through Saturday night, it is inconceivable that we could have the roads open by Sunday. It is unlikely that they’d be open by 7:00AM Monday morning. We would hope to be approachable by Monday afternoon but that remains to be seen. Keep […]
St. Benedict for the Rest of Us
Many have inquired about attending St. Benedict for the Rest of Us which will be held at the Retreat House Chapel on April 17th. Their inquiries have ranged from ‘ how do I register’ (answer: by sending email to companions@virginiatrappists.org) to ‘can the Rule of St. Benedict really apply to me? Can I really use […]
Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux, Tuesday 26 January, 2016
Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Acts 4:32-35; Mark 10:17-30 Monday Afternoon, 25 January, the First Vespers of the Solemnity will replace the Second Vespers of the Conversion of St. Paul. Tuesday is a non-work day for the monks and we follow the Sunday schedule: Lauds, in its entirety, will be celebrated at 7:00 AM and Mass will […]
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, 24 January, 2016
Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Second Sunday, Year C
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 Although not inevitable, it is not rare, that children having moved beyond adolescence and young adulthood increasingly experience their parents as true and trusted friends to whom they can relate as virtual equals. And thus it is that the sometimes problematic obedience and submission of childhood years […]