Be grateful for God’s grace; as you have been transformed into a new creation by Easter’s healing action, so walk now in the newness of life. You have been given a share in Christ through the fellowship of faith, by participation in his sacrament, by communion with the Holy Spirit. Strive not only to keep […]

If May is a beautiful time of year, it is especially beautiful at Holy Cross Abbey. Who would want to miss the Virginia Blue Bells blossoming along Castelman Road, bordering the gracious Shenandoah River? So isn’t it good news for you that there happens to vacancies in the Abbey’s Retreat House that month? Still available […]

In this first week of Easter, it is good to remind ourselves, as Father Louis does here in Thoughts in Solitude, just how important our reliance on God is to our well-being: MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know […]

Eleven folks are joining the community for a Monastic Immersion Week starting Monday. Coming from as far away as Texas, folks of all shapes and sizes will spend a week ‘immersed’ in the contemplative life of community.  Pray for a fruitful week for participants and monks.

The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and Fr. James Orthmann preaching. After the Gospel and homily, Abbot Robert will lead the congregation in renewing our Baptismal promises.

The Easter Vigil (Saturday, 30 March) will begin at 8:30 PM with the blessing of the Easter Fire and the Paschal Candle. The Liturgy of the Word follows with the return of the Alleluia. Abbot Robert Barnes will preside and preach. The renewal of Baptismal Promises follows and we conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist.

11:00 AM: the Good Friday Psalter: the monks and our guests pray selections from the Psalter meditating on the Passion of Christ 4:30 PM: the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. This service is in three parts: the Liturgy of the Word culminating in the Passion of Christ according to John followed by intercessions; the Veneration […]

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 4:30 PM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. After the Gospel and Homily, Fr. Robert will celebrate the Mandatum, that is, the Lord’s command to wash one another’s feet, the symbolic act of service to one another. St. John’s Gospel gives us the only account […]

On 25 March we usually celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Incarnation to Mary. Since we are in Holy Week, the Solemnity is transferred to 8 April, the Monday after the Easter Octave. That change attests to the importance of our seasonal celebrations: this week we enter into the mystery of the Eucharist, […]

This Sunday, 24 March, 2013, we celebrate the Community Mass at 11:00 PM; Abbot Robert Barnes will preside. The celebration begins with the distribution and blessing of the Palms and St. Luke’s Gospel, describing Jesus entrance in Jerusalem. Extra blessed palms will be left on the Church Porch throughout the day should any visitor require […]