Readings: Mark 12:12-16 (Processional Gospel); Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; The Passion according to St. Mark–Mark 14:1-15:47 The Community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. The Distribution and Blessing of Palms will begin in the Chapter Room and proceed to the Church. This Entrance Rite will replace the Penitential Act; The Passion of Jesus Christ […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Annunciation
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 Last week we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph and today, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, while next week is Holy Week–already! These Mass readings review the beginnings of Jesus’ time on earth just as we are about to celebrate the end of his earthly life. This […]
Availability in the Retreat House, 17-19 April
We suddenly have eight rooms available in the Retreat House that had been reserved by a group but is now reduced in number. If you had hoped to make a retreat with us during the weekend of 17 through 19 April, you can now actualize those plans. We are presuming that after this long snowy […]
Wednesday, 25 March, Solemnity of the Annunciation
Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding; Fr. James will preach. Because it is a solemnity, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will follow Vespers (5:30 PM)
SUNDAY’S GIFT SHOP REOPENING
THE SUNDAY REOPENING OF OUR GIFT SHOP AND PORTER’S LODGE went off smoothly and guests and Sunday visitors expressed their deep appreciation for its reopening. We (that is, the monks) are still familiarizing ourselves with the new cash register and some of the merchandise that has been in storage is still not back on the […]
Community Retreat, 23 to 27 March, 2015
The monastic community of Holy Cross Abbey will observe it’s annual Retreat this coming week between Monday, 23 March through Friday, 27 March; the retreat will be directed by Sr. Cecilia Dwyer, OSB, Prioress of St. Benedict’s Monastery, Bristow, Virginia. During those days, the Retreat House will be closed and the Gift Shop, undergoing renovation […]
5th Sunday of Lent, Year B, 22 March, 2015
Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM).
Holy Week Schedule, 2015
Palm Sunday, 29 March, 11:00 AM: Mass with the blessing and distribution of Palms and celebration of the Lord’s Passion according to St. Mark Holy Thursday, 2 April, 4:30 PM: Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the Mandatum and transfer of the Blessed Sacrament Good Friday, 3 April, 11:00 AM: Good Friday Psalter 4:30 PM: […]
Fr. Joseph’s Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Recently I came across one of those images (inspired by the writings of Saint John Climacus) depicting that mystical ladder extending from earth to heaven upon which struggling souls valiantly battle their way up to Christ who looks down upon them from the top of the ladder and the heights of heaven. On either side […]
4th Sunday of Lent, “Laetare Sunday”, 15 March, 2015
Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:154-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21 The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Joseph presiding and preaching; the participants in the Monastic Immersion Weekend will be filling the choir stalls–that’s who those people in grey are! Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament follows Vespers (5:30 PM).