The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Abbot Robert Barnes will preside and Fr. James Orthmann will preach. The choir will chant the Veni Sancte Spiritus, the Gregorian Sequence preceding the Gospel. Benediction will be celebrated after Vespers (5:30 PM). Our Lay Cistercians are with us in the Guest House for their annual […]

Two early registrants for the September Monastic Immersion Weekend have had to cancel and reschedule for November.  That means there are two spots still open for September 28-30.  For information and a full schedule send email to companions@virginiatrappists.org.  The weekend will give men a chance to fully ‘immerse’ themselves in the monastic community and rhythm.  […]

Any complex as old as ours requires constant updating and renovation.  It also, sometimes, requires even more than general maintenance to keep the buildings well taken care of. We are at that point now and a committee of monks, including Fr. Joseph and Br. Christopher with the able assistance of a long time friend and donor […]

The community Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM, Fr. Vincent Collins presiding and preaching. The Sixth Sunday of Easter is also Mothers’ Day; all our mothers, living and dead, will be remembered at this Mass. The Office of Vespers is celebrated at 5:30 PM followed by Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. All are invited […]

You may recall that this past 10 March students from Clarke County High School helped us with electronic recycling. This Saturday, 12 May, a larger group of juniors and seniors were here to help us clear more recyclables from the attic of the original dormitory and clear the gutters on the low eaves of some […]

In the year 1153, the disastrous Civil War in England ended and its causes resolved. Since 1135, with the death of King Henry I, the realm was split over the succession. Henry I, descendant of William the Conqueror, had foreseen the need for a peaceful transition and had all his barons swear to uphold his designated heir, […]

Recently we announced our new Sustainers Program in the Spring newsletter.  This program, for donors who make their gifts through their credit or debit card or pledge a gift on a regular basis, helps us know just how much income we will have each month from contributions.  As with any nonprofit, we live and die […]

It’s probably clear from the responsorial psalms of the Mass that Christian faith and prayer brings a particular slant, a particular interpretation to the psalms. I always remind people that a Jewish perspective on the psalms will bring us closer to how Jesus prayed and quoted the psalms than if we just interpret the texts on face […]

As part of our Vocations Strategy we have instituted two Monastic Immersion Weekends.  These weekends, that require full ‘immersion’ into the life here at the abbey are scheduled for September 28-30 and November 9-11.  The September weekend for men only has a few slots left…register soon if you are interested.  Below is the full summary and […]

The community Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM; Fr. James Orthmann will preside and preach This is the First Sunday of the Month and Monthly Eucharistic Adoration begins at 4:00 PM. Vespers is celebrated at 5:30 PM before the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction follows (Benediction begins at approximately 5:55 PM). All are invited to […]