Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians2:6-11; John 3:13-17 This is the patronal Feast of our monastery and is a non-work day for us; we follow the Sunday schedule. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. A relic of the holy Cross will be exposed from Vigils to Vespers for […]
Twenty-fourth Sunday, Year B, 13 September, 2015
Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. James presiding and preaching. Participants in the Monastic Immersion Weekend will be celebrating with us; please keep them in your prayers.
The Monastic Tradition of Liturgical Prayer
As our readers realize, we are considering the shape of our liturgical life and this can be an opportunity to review the monastic tradition of prayer. We can see it rooted in the Gospels, the Letters of the Apostles and find it expressed in the Acts of the Apostles which we happen to be reading […]
Laudato Si’; Part Six
In his introduction to his Encyclical, Pope Francis mentions that certain themes will reappear in the various chapters, each time viewing them from a different perspective or context. I hope it strikes even a casual reader how frequently he quotes teaching on caring for the environment from the various national conferences of bishops. Apart from […]
Twenty-third Sunday, Year B, 6 September, 2015
Readings: Isaiah 35:4-7; James 2:3=5; Mark 7:31-37 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. It is the First Sunday of the month and Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 4:00 PM
Volunteer for an Environmental Project at Holy Cross Abbey
If you find yourself inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment or have always wanted to be a part of the sustainability effort at Holy Cross Abbey–or need a good workout–we can offer you an opportunity through September and October. Now that the bird nesting season (15 May through 15 August) is over, we […]
A Word From The Cistercian Fathers For September
There is an arrow that pierces Mary’s heart: the living and active Word of God that cuts more keenly than any two-edged sword. Of this our Savior said: I have not come to send peace but the sword. A polished arrow, too, is that special love of Christ, which not only pierced Mary’s soul but penetrated […]
Abbot Robert’s Homily for the 22nd Sunday, Year B
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 We return today to St. Mark’s Gospel after the past weeks of hearing St. John’s account of Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist. From now on in Mark’s Gospel, we observe the increasingly angry attacks which the Pharisees make on Jesus. Jesus retaliates, calling […]
Laudato Si’, Part Five
This post continues a guide to reading the encyclical, picking up at Chapter Three. Chapter Three: The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis. In a challenging Encyclical, this may be a big hurdle for many Americans. If you follow the European press on this topic, you’ll find the explanation to European readers again and again, “…in the […]
Twenty-Second Sunday, Year B, 30 August, 2015
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching.