Readings: Revelation 14:1-2, 4b-5; Luke 21:1-4 This morning’s reading from the Book of Revelation is a reminder of the liturgical character of this book, which abounds in hymns, canticles and heavenly ceremonies. It recalls the great drama of salvation which we re-engage through the liturgy; and that the drama of our lives and history is […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Thanksgiving
The experience of suffering and the presence of evil in our world have a way of undermining our sense of gratitude. This is because all the good things we are blessed with can easily be cast into shadow by the hardships, disappointment, and trials of life. Indeed, this is not only a factor inhibiting gratitude, […]
Thanksgiving Day, 22 November, 2018
The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day for the community and we follow the Sunday schedule.
Reflection on the Thirty-third Monday of Ordinary Time
Readings: Revelation 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Luke 18:8-12 For the next two weeks, as we move towards Advent and recall the Second Coming of the Lord, the weekday Mass Readings will take us on a rapid–and condensed–tour of the Book of Revelation. I don’t have to tell you what a cryptic and puzzling book of Scripture this […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the 33rd Sunday of the Year
Today’s readings (with their apocalyptic tone) can evoke feelings of anxiety and even dread amid the dire descriptions of the end of the world and what Daniel terms a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. Indeed, these distressing features surrounding the Lord’s final return have been used by some to induce […]
Monastery Fruitcake and Honey for the Holidays
A fruitcake from Holy Cross Abbey is for those who appreciate quality products made from an old fashioned recipe, with choice fruits and nut meats in a brandy-laced batter. Our famous Trappist Fruitcake can be shipped to you, as well as creamed honey and truffles, but ONLY by going online to monasteryfruitcake.org. Shipments can be requested […]
GIFT SHOP HOURS
Please note that the Gift Shop will be closed for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Friday morning, November 23. Also, we are happy to assure fruitcake lovers that we have an abundant supply of both the larger and smaller cakes—along with many other products from our various monasteries. And whereas the larger round cakes are […]
Wednesday of the 32nd Week of the Year
Ingratitude towards God results from two chief causes: Firstly, a failure to recognize God’s gifts showered on us every day, and secondly, an even more fundamental failure to recognize God’s presence in our life. Accordingly, developing a spirit of gratitude by recognizing and acknowledging God’s gifts helps heighten our awareness of God’s presence in our […]
Reflection for the Monday of the Thirty-first Week
Readings: Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6 The conclusion of this Gospel passage is genuinely Good News. Jesus plainly says that in our uncertainty, in our weakness we don’t need more faith. Our faith can be as small as a mustard seed; we just have to allow it to do what it can do. Think about that! […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the Thirty-second Sunday, Year B
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44 Jesus sat opposite the treasury and observed… I believe this is so characteristic of Jesus, who told us Behold the birds of the air, or Behold the flowers of the field. The more I ponder the Gospels, the more I feel that Jesus is someone who paid […]