Quiet beauty abounds

This week, Br. Robert James, our Superior, was conducting his annual visitation. He meets individually with all the monks and the interns of the monastery to hear how they are doing and what their view is of how our community is doing.

This week was also the last one in Raphael Ugochukwu's aspirant visit. It has been a pleasure to get to know him a little better.

This weekend, our men in formation and Br. Josép, our formator, are at an inter-novitiate formation conference at Mount Alvernia, in Wappinger Falls, NY.

The croci came out in force this week. Our honeybees have been quick to find them. One of the four beehives that Br. Francis keeps didn't make it through the winter. It is always a sad loss when a  bee colony fails to survive. Pollen and nectar are in short supply for the moment, so Br. Francis will complement their diet with syrup until there is enough blooming action in the gardens.

Blooms and doom. From top left, clockwise: a field of snowdrops near our backup generator (two pictures); croci in the lawn facing the Guesthouse entrance; a happy bee foraging a crocus; our neighbors across Route 9W recycling their Halloween decoration for St Patrick's Day.

It has otherwise been a quiet lenten week. But God's bountiful creation never stops to amaze and delight.

Hudson views. From top, clockwise: an orange moonrise over the Hudson (two pictures); the sun playing peekaboo behind the clouds; before sunrise (without the soundtrack of songbirds rejoicing at the sun's return).

Contemplative days and ashes

This week, we observed contemplative days from Tuesday to Sunday morning. During contemplative days, we keep silence around the clock, spend more time in praying, studying and resting in God. Lots of guests prefer to come and stay with us on these special weeks.

Monastery creatures. From top left, clockwise: squirrels are enjoying the thaw by frenetically climbing up and down shrubs and trees; on Wednesday, we received ashes on our foreheads; ambulatory stained glass representing the creation of light (2 pictures); the Hudson looking atmospheric under an overcast sky.

On Friday, the Rev. Leigh Hall, from Poughkeepsie, NY, was received as our latest Associate. They come thick and fast lately. A few of us broke silence just for the reception. Since she is a local, she invited family, friends and parishioners to witness her commitment. Br. Bernard had mistakenly given her the wrong time for Eucharist (which takes place a 11:45 a.m. on contemplative days). So we had the opportunity to take pictures of everyone. Leigh's husband, Edmund, and her son, Solomon were happy to be there. Solomon was in Leigh's arms as she was received. Does that make Solomon our youngest associate to date?

Receiving Leigh Hall as an Associate. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bernard, Solomon and Leigh; Edmund, Leigh and Solomon surrounded by attending Brothers; the same with Brothers and friends: waiting for everyone to arrive; the photographer must have cracked a joke...

May God bless your Lenten journey.

Associates on retreat

Br. Ephrem is on a family visit in Louisiana. Our two Asprirants Raphael and Will continue their visits with our community.

This week, we welcomed two dozen Associates for the Associates Winter retreat. The theme was "the graces of the liturgical year." Br. David, Robert Leo, Scott, Randy and Josép each led a spirited session on a liturgical season.

During the retreat we also received three new Associates: Rick Lamb, of Lutz, FL, David Webb, of Syracuse, NY, and Jeff Hual, of Davidsonville, MD.

Associates Winter retreat. From top left, clockwise: Rick Lamb and David Webb before their reception as Associates in the church: Rick Lamb, Barbara Sweeton, of  Manahawkin, NJ, Philippa Shepherd, of Chevy Chase, MD, and Br. Randy before his presentation on the season of Advent: Br. Bernard and the Rev. Jeff Hual before his reception; Joan Lindenau, of Lambertville, NJ, Michael Brembs, of Valatie, NY, Maria Cirillo-Lein, of Lords Valley, PA, and Marsha Ra, of New York, NY.

The snow has melted. The song birds are making themselves known. And the snowdrops are putting in a show. Is winter on its way out?

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Michael Brembs, Pat Ahearn, of New York, NY, and Br. Bruno during an Associate reception in Pilgrim Hall: Br. Randy and Jennifer Brown, of Oak Ridge, NJ: snowdrops in the Little Cloister: Marsha Ra and Br. Aidan: Carol Wilkins, of New York, NY, reading and studying in the Avery Brooks Library: intern Jeremy Cannon before ringing the bell for diurnum.