Readings: Genesis 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 The scribes in today’s Gospel seem to view the demonic as an exterior force of quantifiable power that could be enlisted like a military reserve. Perhaps their notion of God is equally externalized–and equally threatening. Yet God dwells in each of us and is the foundation of […]
Gift Shop closed for the day
Friday, June 8, is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, and is observed as a full monastic holy day. Accordingly, the Gift Shop will be closed all day Friday and will reopen on Saturday morning at 10.00 a.m. As usual, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers and visitors.
Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
In the opening greeting of his Second Letter to Timothy, we have heard Paul wish grace, mercy, and peace for this beloved disciple and fellow worker. And this order is neither incidental nor unintentional; for mercy stands as a bridge between grace and peace. For the grace whereby we are redeemed and saved in Christ […]
Abbot Joseph’s Homily for Corpus Christi
Some of my childhood memories include returning from a funeral or wedding that took place in a non-Catholic Church and hearing my parents comment on how empty the church felt because of the absence of the Blessed Sacrament. The great feast we celebrate today confirms that this feeling is more than just imagination and that […]
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, 8 June, 2018
Readings: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9; Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19; John 19:31-37 The community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Fr. Vincent presiding and preaching. It is a non-work day for the monastic community, so we follow the Sunday schedule with Midday Prayer at 12:20 PM (rather than at 2:00 PM). Because Benediction concludes the 10:00 […]
Friday of the 8th Week of the Year
Doing no more than is asked or required of you can sometimes be the virtuous thing to do. However, at other times it can betray a fundamentally selfish attitude ever on guard against being taken advantage of and thus refusing to go the extra mile. This self-protective stance that curbs generosity is perhaps well represented […]
A Word from the Cistercian Fathers for June
You know that in a community of many it is impossible for all to be of the same strength, whether in body or in character, and so the authority of the Rule advises us to bear each weakness with patience, and charity requires us to stoop down somewhat to each. Some other person sees this, […]
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Year B, 3 June, 2018
Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 The Community Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Abbot Joseph Wittstock presiding and preaching. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament begins immediately after Communion. Members of the community will keep watch in the church in 30 minute periods from Mass though Vespers (5:30 PM). Vespers will […]
Wednesday of the 8th Week of the Year
Bitter zeal and good zeal (as outlined by Saint Benedict) are often preceded by a third which, we might term “untested zeal.” James and John exemplify this zeal with their brash insistence that they were able to receive the baptism with which Jesus was to be baptized and drink the chalice he was to drink. […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Trinity Sunday
Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20 Since Advent we’ve been celebrating events from the life of Christ. This Sunday, it’s as if we’re looking beyond that personal history to the background of eternity against which those scenes are played out. It might be better to describe what we celebrate today as the foundation […]