Well, the snow is over for a while, our roads are clear and we’re back to normal, whatever that is in a monastery (perhaps any of us can say the same in any way of life). I’m told that a rather warm week is ahead as we couldn’t imagine last week. Posts may be a […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers for February
Keep carefully and watchfully, O happy sinner, this spirit of yours, this most fitting affection of humility and devotion by which you may always so think of yourself in humility and of the Lord in goodness. There is nothing greater that it among the gifts of the Holy Spirit, nothing more precious in the treasures […]
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, 2 February, and the Blessing of Throats, 3 February, 2016
Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 The community Mass with the blessing of candles will be celebrated At 7:00 AM on Tuesday, 2 February. On Wednesday, the traditional blessing of throats through the intercession of St. Blaise, will be offered after Mass integrated with Lauds (7:00 AM).
Fifth Sunday, Year C, 7 February, 2016
Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching.
Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Year C
Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30 This Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s beautiful Gospel of God’s Kingdom blossoming in the Synagogue at Nazareth in the person of Jesus Christ. For us, celebrating it at Sunday Mass, what a change in one week! In Luke’s narrative, the jolting change occurred […]
31 January, 2016: Fourth Sunday, Year C
Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:21-30 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. The Monthly Eucharistic Adoration for February will be observed this Sunday due to particular circumstances; it will begin at 4:00 PM and will conclude after Vespers with Benediction of the Most […]
Improvements in the road conditions
Wednesday, 27 January, 1:45 PM: As of this morning, Castleman Road has been plowed allowing more than single lane traffic. Passage along the road is normal and four wheel drive is no longer required. Area for parking at the Abbey, though hardly normal, is greatly improved this morning; digging out continues and we anticipate normal […]
Abbot Robert’s Sermon for the Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux, 26 January, 2016
Readings: Genesis 12, 1-4; Acts 4:32-35; Mark 10:17-30 In the year 1098 of the Incarnation of our Lord, Robert of blessed memory, the first abbot of the monastery of Molesme, and brothers Alberic, Odo, John, Stephen, Letald and Peter and others numbering twenty-one in all, eagerly set out for the solitude of Citeaux…After the monks […]
The situation at Holy Cross Abbey
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 […]