On Sunday morning we had the happy occasion of witnessing Brother Gregory Wilson receive the Cistercian Habit and formally begin his two-year novitiate. In keeping with a long monastic tradition, Brother Gregory felt led to take a new name—that of the great Prophet Elijah. We thank God for bringing Brother Elijah to this important juncture […]
Saint Augustine’s Homily for today’s Gospel
Each one’s heart is a sailing boat [that cannot] be wrecked so long as we fill our minds only with what is good. When you have to listen to abuse, that means you are being buffeted by the wind; when your anger is roused, you are being tossed by the waves. So when the winds […]
Friday of the 3rd Week of the Year
Confessing our sins over and over again while not seeming to make any progress can be very discouraging. However, this unsparing recognition of our sins is an indispensable means to ensuring that even though we aren’t making great progress, we are at least not getting worse. It is inadvertence to our sins—especially the less serious—that […]
Spiritual Direction Institute, Charlottesville
In years past, we’ve posted information about the Spiritual Direction Institute. As we do so again this year, let me remind our readers that this is also a good resource for those looking for a spiritual director. But let me present the announcement I have from SDI: Have you been searching for a way to […]
Retreat House Availability, 3 to 7 February
Due to a group cancellation we now have 12 more rooms available Monday afternoon through Friday morning, 3 to 7 February. To make a reservation, please call Carol Hensley, Monday through Friday at 540-955-4383 or email her at information@hcava.org.
Wednesday of the 2nd Week of the Year: Day of Prayer for the legal protection of the unborn
Although the death of Goliath (described in our first reading) was that of a dangerous enemy and most likely prevented the death of many others, it was nevertheless the ending of a life deemed precious in the eyes of the Lord. Accordingly, even when the death of one, prevents the death of many, it remains […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Second Sunday of the Year
In John the Baptist’s acknowledgment, I recognize a very constant dynamic of the spiritual life: I did not know him…But when John saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him, then he knows that Jesus is the Son of God. One of my favorite passages in the Book […]
Reflection on today’s Gospel by visiting Trappist, Fr. Dominique-Savio Nelson of Guadalupe Abbey, Oregon.
In today’s Gospel pericope, Jesus calls Matthew to become his disciple. Jesus gazed at this man and said simply, “Follow me.” Did Jesus invite Matthew because the tax collector merited it? Was Jesus responding to some hidden longing in the sinner’s heart? Certainly not. Grace, by definition, comes unbidden and without explanation. In Caravaggio’s magnificent […]
Saints Maur and Placid
Although Saint Mark describes Jesus as preaching and driving out demons as if these were separate and distinct functions, in many instances these are one and the same thing. For with Jesus preaching is always synonymous with the Truth and when the Truth is preached and heard, falsehood and ignorance—those hiding places of the demons—are […]
Prayer is relationship
10 January, Friday after Epiphany: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Lk 5:12-16 A couple of days ago, in Mark’s Gospel, we heard that Jesus had withdrawn to pray; today, in Luke’s Gospel we’re told that he’d withdraw to deserted places to pray. As we digest the richness of this Christmas season, let’s not reduce that […]