In May, 1977, a friend of mine drove me from Washington, DC to Berryville to begin my postulancy. Fr. Andrew Gries, who would be my Novice Director, showed my guest around and. among other things, pointed out a hermitage for monthly retreat days. As we were making our goodbyes, me friend noted, “This Abbey is […]

The monastic community of Our Lady of the Holy Cross will be on retreat from Sunday evening, 26 February through Thursday evening, 1 March. Fr. Matthew Flynn, OCSO, a monk of our Mother House in Spencer, Massachusetts, will be our Retreat Master. During the retreat, all usual business will be suspended.    

The community mass will becelebrated at 11:00 AM. Fr. Vincent Collins will be the Principal celebrant and Homilist.

An excellent form of Lenten Reading is to choose one of the books of Scripture. But we sometimes need a little help to undesrtand what we’re reading. Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini published a number of helpful, prayerful and very short books often based on retreat conferences this Jesuit Scripture Scholar had given. All the titles listed here are available […]

Mass with the blessing and distribution of ashes will be celebrated at 7:00 AM, Wednesday, 22 February, 2012. Abbot Robert Barnes will preside. On Ash Wednesday, following the Constitutions of the Order, the monastic community fasts on bread and water (in the houses of our Order in Asia or Africa, the local equivalent of bread […]

“How can I begin reading the Cistercian fathers?” That people ask this question in the first place demonstrates that we are aware that we’re approaching a different kind of reading material. Is the content complicated, opaque? Is the style elaborate and archaic? Is their world-view too different from ours to make sense to a contemporary […]

Since the end of the last century there’s been a lively interest in all things Celtic, especially in the USA. You probably don’t need to be told that there’s no lack of fantasy and wishful thinking in some “reconstructions” of Celtic traditions. At times you may scratch your head and wonder, “Should I believe any of […]

In realizing our goals for ecological sustainability–and our own financial sustainability–we have been branching out into new ventures. Mark and Kate Zurschmeide and the rest of the team from Great Country Farms will be extending their operations to a part of our property. “The monastic community at Holy Cross Abbey is very pleased to partner with […]

Thank you to everyone who has responded to the website in general or the NEWS specifically. It’s very helpful to read your comments and receive your support, interest and suggestions. So far, I’ve received your reactions by word-of-mouth or email, which is fine. Should you wish to share your reactions with other followers of this website, […]

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. The Principal Celebrant and Homilist is Fr. Vincent Collins