It’s been a while since Ailred appeared on these posts and the last installment considered his historical writings. Those writings dated to the beginning of the reign of King Henry II (1154-1189). Ailred spent his years as Abbot preaching to his community, at other monasteries or even–more the exception than the rule–in cathedrals on special occasions. […]
11th Sunday, Year B, 17 June, 2012
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM; Fr. Vincent Collins will preside and preach
Ups and downs
One great thing about Cistercian monasteries is we are different in size (buildings and humans) and different in our work (fruitcakes, caskets, beer) but we are the same in our horarium, or order of the Divine Office. The time might be slightly off—in Berryville the monks pray Vigils at 3:30 am, in Conyers they pray […]
Supporting Vocations, Monastic or Otherwise
I can think of two extreme experiences as a Vocation Director over the past few decades. One, shared by many of Vocation Directors of our Order in this country, is being approached by a candidate who’d report a curious experience. “I tried to find out about entering a Trappist monastery”, he’d say, “so I spoke […]
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Friday, 15 June, 2012
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM; Fr. James Orthmann will preside and preach. At the conclusion of Mass, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be celebrated.
Retreat Opportunities at Holy Coss Abbey
There are still about ten vacancies for this weekend ( Friday to Sunday, 15-17 June) at our Retreat House. If you’ve discovered that you have some unexpected free time this weekend or need some time away, please feel free to apply for the available space. Please contact Carol Hensley by Thursday by dialing 540-955-4383 or by email: […]
Video: New Wind Vane Tops Cemetery Chapel
As Cool Spring Natural Cemetery’s new chapel building nears completion, the structure’s designer and builder, Ron Heath of Winchester, Virginia, decided on Friday that the long-anticipated time for adding a wind vane to the chapel’s tower peak had finally arrived. While providing visitors with a valuable snippet of real-time weather information upon their arrival at […]
Power Point Presentations Available
There are two Power Point Programs available as educational resources from this site. One is on the Monastic Life and the second is on Cistercian Spirituality. The two programs have been realized on Microsoft Powerpoint. They would be suitable for high school, adult education or parish study groups, basic outlines that can be expanded or contracted […]
Corpus Christi, 10 June, 2012
This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Abbot Robert Barnes presiding and preaching. From after Communion through Vespers, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration. members of the community will be keeping prayerful watch and we invite all […]
How could you NOT visit us??
This morning as I left my room in the monastery after Vigils the sun was coming up and I was again struck by the unbelievable beauty we are surrounded by here at Our Lady of the Holy Cross. This picture-taken with my Galaxy tablet in panoramic format (don’t ask me, I just push the buttons) […]