I’m struck by Jeremiah’s words: “I will place my law within them and write it on their hearts” (Jer 31, 33). That sounds great; but do I have any cause to presume that this promise describes my life or how I operate? Is my heart like that because I’m a baptized Catholic? Is that how […]
Fifth Week of Lent
The feasts of St. Joseph and the Annunciation have certainly interrupted the mood of Lent; but with the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the change in tone is unavoidable. More and more the readings at Mass remind us of the Lord’s sufferings, his betrayal and especially his sacrifice. Sacrifice in every sense of the word: what he […]
A Visit from Fr. Andrew
This week began with a visit from our Fr. Andrew. Father Andrew has been residing at Carroll Manor for a good number of years where he can get the constant health care he needs. During his sojourn there, Br. Isaac, a monk from another of our houses, Genesee Abbey, near Rochester, NY, has been studying at […]
Eagles Eye Monastery’s Green Cemetery
Black and white are popular colors at Holy Cross Abbey located just a few miles east of Berryville, Virginia. Not only are black and white the traditional colors of the cowls and robes worn by the Abbey’s 14 Trappist monks, they are also the colors of choice for two American Bald Eagles who are permanent […]
The Incarnation: a Chapter Talk by the Abbot
Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the incarnation of the Son of God as a human being by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. There is much going on in the community these days, as we strive for sustainability and our day is unavoidably affected by “business as usual”–even if it isn’t a work day! But do your […]
26 March: Solemnity of the Annunciation
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. The Principal Celebrant and Homilist is Abbot Robert Barnes. It is a non-work day for the community and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament will be celebrated after Vespers (5:30 PM) The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary […]
25 March, 2012, Fifth Sunday of Lent, YR B
The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. The Principal Celebrant and homilist is Fr. James Orthmann.
Fr. Edmund Flynn
Fr. Edmund, who has served the community for decades as our treasurer, is now residing at Carroll Manor, Providence Hospital in Washington DC. Fr. Edmund’s legs have been afflicted by muscular degeneration for over a decade and he’s soldiered on bravely with cane and walker until his legs could no longer support him. Although he was receiving attentive […]
Irish Cobblers Come to Holy Cross Abbey – Video
What do “Irish Cobblers”, “Canadian Goose” and “Yukon Gold” all have in common? These wonderfully descriptive names represent are just a few of the varieties of potatoes being planted in the fertile bottomland fields along the Shenandoah River at Holy Cross Abbey this spring. Abbey farming partner and Great Country Farms owner Mark Zurschmeide said […]
21 March, the Transitus of St. Benedict
Since Vatican II and the reform of the Calender of the Saints, most monastic communities celebrate 11 July as the solemnity of St. Benedict. Before that time, 21 March was celebrated, commemorating the presumed day in 547 AD when St. Benedict died. Why was the date changed? The celebration in July removes the solemnity from the restraints […]