Readings: Revelation 7:1-2, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 In his tribute at the funeral of Princess Diana, her brother, the Earl Spencer, warned against the temptation to canonize his sister. To do so, he said, would be to miss out on the very core of her being–her wonderful sense of humor, her joy for […]
Thomas Merton at 100: Have American Catholics Changed?
I imagine, though I’m not sure of this, that most of our readers actually remember when Thomas Merton was alive and living at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky. You may remember noting when his next book was published, what the reviewers said and how quickly you purchased your own copy. If you still have that original […]
The Monastic Liturgy in the Benedictine Tradition: Monastic Feast Days
The month of November focuses on the completion of time, what we’ve traditionally called the Last Four Things: death, judgment, hell and heaven. The Liturgy captures this in the celebration of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls at the very beginning of the month. The Commemoration of All Souls does not go back […]
Thirty-Second Sunday, Year B, 8 November, 2015
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching.
Merton Event-some details
If you registered for the Merton event on November 15th and now find you can’t make it, please send email to companions@virginiatrappists.org and let us know. We have a waiting list of 50 people who would like to attend, so if you are not going to make it please inform us so we can give […]
Monastic Prayer in the Tradition of the Rule of St. Benedict, continued
St. Benedict built on the teaching of St. John Cassian and St. Basil the Great, as well as the practice of the Church of Rome which he had learned in his brief student days in that city. For anyone who is interested, RB1980 has a thirty-five page essay on the liturgical practice that St. Benedict […]
A Word From The Cistercian Tradition For November
O God, Love, who created me, recreate me in your love. O Love, who have redeemed me, whatever I have neglected of your love, amend me for yourself and redeem me. O God, Love, who with the blood of your Christ have ransomed me for yourself, sanctify me in your truth. O God, Love, who […]
“Saving Grace, Saving Place”: Another Event at Holy Cross Abbey, Saturday, 7 November
Some of you will recall the event we had in August, to introduce the film Saving Grace, Saving Place. If you wanted to attend then but were unavailable, you have another opportunity this Saturday, 7 November to meet the film makers. The event will begin at 2:30 PM in the Abbey Church; Abbot Robert Barnes […]
Monday, 2 November, 2015; Commemoration of All Souls
The Office of the Dead will be celebrated throughout the day. Lauds will begin at 7:00 AM; at the conclusion of Lauds, the concelebrants will vest and the Mass of the Day will follow. Midday Prayer will be celebrated at 2:00 PM; weather providing, Midday Prayer will be celebrated in the monks cemetery to the […]
Sunday, 1 November, 2015: The Solemnity of All Saints
Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a 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 Monthly Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM. All are welcome to join us.