This Monday begins the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity culminating in the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. In a Chapter Talk Abbot Robert alerted our attention to the significant teaching and example of recent popes. Pope John Paul Ii in his encyclical on Christian Unity, Ut Unum Sint (That They May Be […]
Second Sunday, YR C, 17 January, 2016
Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.
Fr. James’ Homily for the Baptism of the Lord, YR C
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:13-16, 21-22 Does my image of the Baptism of the Lord only resemble the account in Matthew o Mark’s Gospel? Jesus is baptized in the Jordan, the heaven’s open, the Holy Spirit descends upon him and God’s voice identifies Jesus as his beloved Son. In John’s Gospel, John […]
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 10 January, 2016
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Acts 10:34-38; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching.
Special Events and MIWs Scheduled for 2016
The community is pleased to announce the scheduling of special events and retreats for 2016. For information on any of these events or to register to attend, send email to companions@virginiatrappists.org or call 540-955-4604…this year we will have two Monastic Immersion Weekends, an event on monastic life for those not called as monks and nuns […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily For The Epiphany
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, God manifesting himself to the entire human race. Our celebration of Christmas Day marked the revelation God made to the chosen people of Israel that their Messiah had come. The angel proclaimed his message to simple souls, poor shepherds […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers For January
How wonderful your love for me, my God, my love! How wonderful your love for me, everywhere mindful of me, everywhere eager for the welfare of one who is needy and poor, protecting him both from the arrogance of men and from the might of evil spirits. Both in heaven and on earth, O Lord, […]
The Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday, 3 January, 2016
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the month and of the year; the Monthly Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM. Vespers is celebrated at 5:30 PM, followed by Benediction of the Most […]
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, 1 January, 2016
Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day for the community and we follow the Sunday schedule. Midday Prayer follows Mass at 12:20 PM and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM). All […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, 27 December, 2015
Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52 We are in a season of feasts and I believe these celebrations unpack what the Lord’s birth means for us. Let’s remember what Fr. Joseph preached on Christmas Day, a very important teaching to a society that loves to be affirmed and left unchallenged. The Son of […]