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Fr. James’ Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent

December 4, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, 4 December, 2022: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12      Certainly, Jesus is never afraid to confront bigotry and hypocrisy, nor does he avoid talking about judgment or the consequences of sin. But there is a palpable contrast between the teaching of Jesus and the fiery harangues of John […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Feast of Saint Francis Xavier

December 3, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Christ’s call to follow him implies walking behind him and tracing his footsteps—as it were. However, while this is surely true in the early stages of discipleship, a verse from our first reading suggests that this initial following becomes a “walking with” Jesus, rather than following on behind him. For in assuring us that our […]

Filed Under: Abbot's Lectio Post

A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers

December 2, 2022 by Fr Joseph

As for me, as long as I look at myself, my eye is filled with bitterness.  But if I look up and fix my eyes on the aid of the divine mercy, this happy vision of God soon tempers the bitter vision of myself, and I say to him: “I am disturbed within so I […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Fr. James’ Homily for Christ the King

November 20, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, 20 November, 2022: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 21:35-43       I offer you two images of Kingship found in today’s readings and pictured in this chapel.      The first, from the Letter to the Colossians is depicted in the Madonna standing behind our choir. Here we […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Fr. James’ Homily for the 33rd Sunday

November 14, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Thirty-third Sunday, Year C, 13 November, 2022: Malachi 3:19-20a; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19      At the end of the Liturgical year, we celebrate cryptic gospels forecasting doom. To what does Jesus refer? The destruction of Jerusalem? The judgment of God? The advent of the Messianic age? The end of the world? By the time […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

A Word from Our Cistercian Mothers

November 2, 2022 by Fr Joseph

My sweetest Jesus, revive my listless spirit in You now, in Your death restore to me a life lived for You alone.  Grant me a way of life corresponding worthily to the price of Your blood.  Grant me a spirit that savors You, senses that sense You, a soul that understands Your will, virtue that […]

Filed Under: Featured, News

Fr. James’ Homily for All Saints

November 1, 2022 by Fr Joseph

ALL Saints, Monday 1 November, 2022: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a     There is a perspective on the Beatitudes—being poor, mourning or hungering, experiencing persecution—that could seem depressing. And then how many people do we see in our society who are actually meek, merciful or clean of heart? They would not be […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 30th Sunday

October 26, 2022 by Fr Joseph

In listening to this morning’s gospel, we perhaps find ourselves spontaneously identifying with the Tax Collector, and not with the proud Pharisee. Objectively, of course, this would be to acknowledge the truth of our situation, whereas adopting the pompous attitude of the Pharisee would be delusional. However, it is probably closer to the truth to […]

Filed Under: Liturgy

Saint Teresa of Jesus

October 15, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is an extreme version of our constant thwarting or quenching the Holy Spirit—something Saint Paul warned against. And whereas blaspheming against the Holy Spirit almost has to be conscious, our quenching or thwarting the Holy Spirit is often unconscious. Our struggle towards that seemingly elusive goal of continuous prayer, is […]

Filed Under: Abbot's Lectio Post

Wednesday of the 27th Week

October 5, 2022 by Fr Joseph

Given his triple denial of Christ and his apparent moral cowardice—as exemplified in today’s first reading—Peter seems an unlikely candidate for sainthood. However, there is one thing that explains why he became Saint Peter: And that is that he was able to accept correction and reproof without making excuses for his behavior or trying to […]

Filed Under: Abbot's Lectio Post

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3:30 - Vigils
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Many, many thanks to Holy Cross Abbey and all the monks for being a beacon of light and hope in our world. I am so very, very grateful for being able to come for yearly retreats. That time with God nourishes me throughout the year, always.

-Dawn Peck, Lexington, VA


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