In a post for April 3, I introduced the topic of water and the medieval Cistercian conservation of water systems. I also sketched out the connection between such practices to our spirituality. What St. James wrote of faith and works is not irrelevant: “I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you […]
Raising the Roof at Cool Spring Natural Cemetery – Video
The Trappists of Holy Cross Abbey, with the help of master builder Ron Heath, have been raising the roof of late. But there is no need to worry, the monks – and their guests alike – still value the many sounds of silence that grace the monastery’s grounds just an hour west of Washington, DC. […]
Ailred of Rievaulx: a sketch of his life
Ailred (his name is also spelt “Aelred”, the actual, non-Latinized spelling was “Ethelred” ) was born around 1110 in Hexham, Northumbria, close to the Scottish border. His father was the priest Eliaf, a canon of the cathedral. Even at this late date, there were legally married priests; the Gregorian reform from the previous century, promoting the innovation of […]
Second Sunday of Easter, 15 April 2012
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM; Fr. James Orthmann will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist. This Sunday brings to a close the Easter Octave and concludes the celebration of Easter Sunday which we began at the Easter Vigil last Saturday night. May the graces of this blessed season remain with us […]
Prayer Requests
Every week, almost every day, prayer requests are sent to this website. What happens to them? They are posted for the community’s awareness on our bulletin board with the other prayer requests we receive. How are they posted? As discretely as possible to communicate your intention and respect the privacy and identity of all involved. […]
Good Friday Welcomes New Orchard at Abbey – Video
Good Friday at Holy Cross Abbey is always a special day, but even more so when 2,000 apple tree seedlings find their way onto the monastery’s 110-acre produce farm. Farming partner Mark Zurschmeide and his team took advantage of the crystal-clear Friday morning to begin planting four-foot tall apple tree seedlings in neat rows that […]
The Easter Octave: 8 to 15 April, 2012
The Church celebrates the Easter Octave this week. “Octave” is from the Latin word for “eight” and an Octave is an eight day celebration. Strictly speaking, we will be celebrating Easter Day from this Sunday through next Sunday, a way of acknowledging that the Resurrection, and our experience of the Resurrection in the sacraments is […]
Christ Is Risen, Alleluia!
Father Abbot and the monks at Holy Cross wish you all the joy and peace of the Resurrection as we celebrate the Easter Octave. You are in our prayers.
EASTER SUNDAY, 8 April, 2012
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and Fr. James Orthmann preaching. The Baptismal promises will be renewed after the homily.
The Good Friday Fast
Like any religious Institute of the Catholic Church, our Order has its Constitutions and Statutes to apply the monastic tradition, the Rule of St. Benedict, the Carta Caritatis of our Cistercian founders and all the subsequent developments in Church Law to our daily life and organization. Statute 28.A stipulates: “For the main meal on…Good Friday, the brothers […]