Contemplative days

Br. Jacob is on a family visit in Springfield, Missouri.

This week, we had five contemplative days. This means that we observe great silence round the clock and spend more time in prayer, study and holy leisure. Some work gets done but hopefully not enough to detract from the contemplative nature of these days.

Spring blooming. From top left, clockwise: pink dogwood behing the church; lilly of the valley in the Little Cloister; azaleas near our electric vehicle charging station in the sacristy lot; more blooming shrubbery near the celtic cross near the back entrance to the church.

Monks have been spotted in varied corners reading or doing some light gardening. Some tasks cannot wait, like Br. John's twice weekly gathering of enclosure trash bags and recycling material.

Gardening and recycling. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josèp placing a freshly potted arrangement in the garden area he lovingly cares for; Br. Josép's garden with fog over the Hudson; Br. John driving a pile of recyling and trash to the big dumpsters on the guesthouse parking lot in our ATV.

In the gardens, tulips and irises are blooming. The irises are cheerful givers of blossoms for the church decoration.

The irises' turn. From top left, clockwise: yellow irises and Queen Anne's lace near the icon of St Benedict: purple irises and alliums at the foot of the paschal candle (two pictures); blue irised at the foot of the Mother and Child statue.

Eastertide blessings to you.