Long retreat

The last two weeks have seen us celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus on January 1, Epiphany on January 6 and the Baptism of Christ this Sunday, January 12. The guesthouse closed on the afternoon of January 1 for two weeks. From January 3 to 10 we observed Long Retreat, which we do once a year.

On New Year's Day, our last guests leave in the afternoon. After an early Vespers, we gather in Pilgrim Hall to enjoy the Christmas tree, good takeout pizzas, good beers and coquito (the second appearance of a Br. Josép special puerto rican cocktail), and a holiday themed party game. Much laughter and exclaiming before our upcoming silence of Long Retreat.

New Year's day party. Bros. Bruno and John trying to land six candy canes in six differently shaped bottles for the merriment of all. Several teams competed: our two interns Robb and Chris won the timed challenge.

On New Year's Day, the three kings appeared with their caravan on their way from our chapter room to a our church to pay their homage to the newborn king. The tradition is that they keep being moved unseen by other brothers. By the time the three magi arrive at the creche, the shepherds have gone back to their flocks. So the creche presents a new scene for just two days.

The three kings' trek.

Because on the day after Epiphany (January 7) all our Christmas decoration have to come down and be stored. We are sticklers on observing the twelve days of Christmas not more. All this undecorating happens in the full silence of long retreat.

After the twelve days of Christmas. From top left, clockwise: the enclosure common room's Christmas tree at sunrise on January 7; the tree angel counting down the hours at its post; Bros. Randy and Josép undecorating the common room; during long retreat the deer came back (a herd of up to 11 deer was observed in the meadow).

On two good weather days, our tree service company took care of our belove old oak in the little cloister. Some tree limbs that had started weakening because of inside rot had to be pruned. This was the only noisy occurence during our retreat days. The old oak is ready for another good season of growth and inspiring guests and monks alike.

The tree service people love our old oak. Two picture were taken from the bucket at the top of the cherry-picker.

We are looking forward to welcoming our next guests this coming week. When are you visiting?

Christ among us

As is traditional for us, we wait until Christmas Eve to put up the Christmas decorations. We divided ourselves in three crews that decorate the church, the guesthouse and the enclosure common room. Many hands make light work. Christmas pop music is even heard in the monastery for a while!

Decking the halls 1. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Randy, Josép and Scott decorate the enclosure common room (2 pictures); Br. Aidan appreciates their work; Br. Robert James gives hospitality to Joseph and Mary in front of the altar in St Augustine Church.

And decking the halls involves Pilgrim Hall where guests revel in decorating our 10 foot high Christmas tree.

Decking the halls 2. From top left, clockwise: Br. Francis keeps the Monk's Cell Gift and Bookstore open for those who have not completed their Christmas shopping; meanwhile, the guests rejoice in decorating the Pilgrim Hall (5 pictures).

The first Vespers of Christmas end up with a procession round the ambulatory and back into the church to place baby Jesus in his crib. We end in silence adoring the newborn Prince of Peace.

The creche. From top left, clockwise: before the big event; the proud parents with their Beloved; baby Jesus in the manger; poinsetias galore by the ambo; an icon of Mother and Child in the sacristy.

After the first Vespers of Christmas, guests and monks are invited to gather in the Pilgrim Hall for caroling and some refreshments. Br. Josép leads us in joy and merriment. The cookies and the apple cider help too.

Caroling by the Christmas tree. Guests and Brothers revel in caroling by the tree in Pilgrim Hall (two closer pictures of Br. Josép leading a carol requested by Br. Robert James' great nieces Artemis and Senaca seated between Br. Josép and their father John Magliula).

And then begin the twelve day of Christmas; known as Christmastide, this short liturgical season leads us from Christmas to Epiphany.

But celebrating and worshiping notwithstanding, cleaning needs to continue. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" says the proverb.

Cleaning. From top left, clockwise: intern Robb cleaning the enclosure atrium dining chairs; postulant Ben cleaning the glass doors (Br. Anthony vacuuming in the background); Bros. Anthony and Josép cleaning the atrium kitchen (postulant Ben on the right); Br. John, dusting books and bookshelves in the monastic library.

Next Wednesday, New Year's Day, we will celebrate the feast of the Holy Name. After that, the guesthouse will close until the afternoon of Tuesday, January 14. In the meantime, the monastic community will observe its long retreat; eight days in silence and solitude with as little work involved as possible. The monastery blog will be back on January 19.

We wish you a Happy New Year!

Last notes of Advent

Our Br. Bede is at the Baptist Home rehabilitation center in Rhinebeck after a short stay at Vassar Hospital pursuant to a bad fall. He is recuperating well and in good spirits.

This past week we received two new Associates: Lindsay Coates, from Washington, D.C., and Daniel Collier, from Alexandria, VA. 

Eric Anthony, from Albany, NY, who was a monastic intern with us four years ago is visiting for Christmas. It's always good to see how these great young men make their way in the world.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bernard and Associate Daniel Collier; Br. Josép and ex-monastic intern Eric Anthony; afternoon sun shining through the St Benedict stained glass window into the church; Br. Bernard and Associate Lindsay Coates.

For the last three months, Br. Josép has led rehearsals for a 9-member-strong schola due to sing before first vespers of Christmas on Christmas eve and before Christmas mass on Christmas day. They are sounding pretty good already. A couple more rehearsals and they will be ready for prime time.

Last notes of Advent. From top left, clockwise: the four candles lit on the Advent wreat (two pictures); Christmas Schola rehearsal during a flute solo by Associate The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie.

We hope you have a blessed end of Advent and a joyful Christmastide (the twelve days of Christmas leading to Epiphany).