Readings: Revelation 15:1-4; Luke 21:12-19 Today’s Gospel reminds us of what we may not wish to know: that catastrophe is part of human life, part of discipleship. Not even the Lord who calls us guarantees a smooth path. Catastrophe is not an index of poor choices, just as “success” is not an index of my […]
Unexpected Openings at the Retreat House, 18-21 December
Due to a group cancellation, nine rooms are now available in the Retreat House, Monday, 17 December through the morning of Friday, 21 December. By the way, those are the evenings that we chant the Solemn or “O Antiphons” with the Magnificat at Vespers. If you had earlier tried to reserve a room at that […]
Christmas Schedule 2018
Christmas Eve, Monday, 24 December Vigils, Lauds, Mass, Sext, and None follow the usual Monday times 5:30 PM–First Vespers of Christmas 7:45 PM–Recital of Carols by Madelaine MacNeil, performed in Cool Spring House 8:30 PM–Christmas Vigils followed by the Christmas Night Mass The Gift Shop is OPEN extra hours on Monday morning December 24, 10-Noon, […]
Reflection for Monday of the 34th Week
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 […]