The Presentation and the Associates winter retreat

 Br. Robert James, our Superior, is in the last week of his visit to our Brothers in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. This past week, Br. Josép paid a visit to his mom in St Petersburg, FL.

Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of the Presentation of our Lord in the temple. We started with a blessing of the candles in the Pilgrim Hall. We then processed to the church with our lit candles and continued with the rest of our Sunday Eucharist.

The feast of the Presentation. From top left, clockwise: Br. Randy, our presider, blessing the candles; the procession to the church with lit candles (2 pictures); settling in the church before extinguishing the candles to start the Eucharis (2 pictures).

At the monastery, Br. Ephrem led a retreat on Medieval Women Mystics, focusing on St Hildegard of Bingen and Hadewijch of Brabant (go Belgium!). We had 18 Associates in attendance. A few people had cancelled late due to the inclement weather. 

On Saturday, we received a new Associate, Catherine Illian, from Cold Spring, NY.

Associates and frozen Hudson. From top left, clockwise: Associates and monks at our Thursday afternoon social in Pilgim Hall (2 pictures left and right); the Associates in St Gregory's meeting room prior to one of Br. Ephrem's presentations; the Port Ewen lighthouse on its islet in the middle of the Hudson; Demetrio Munoz Associate for 17 years already; graphic treescape against the background of ice floes on the Hudson; Br. Bernard with latest Associate, Catherine Illian.

Have you considered becoming a Associate? Talk to Br. Bernard, Director of Associates.

Farewell to Br. Aidan

Our Superior, Br. Robert James is still with out Brothers of Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, for a little less than three weeks. Br. David Bryan returned from a one week visit to friends in Palm Springs, CA.

This Saturday, the 315th Chapter of the Order of the Holy Cross met to consider Br. Aidan's request to be dispensed of his monastic vow. This Chapter gathered on Zoom Brothers from Canada, South Africa and the US. Chapter agreed to The Rev. Aidan Owen's request.

Later that morning, Aidan visited our Chapter Room for a last time where the West Park community was assembled as we do daily. We prayed together thanks for the blessings we shared and forgiveness for the shortcomings we have had. It was a sad occasion. Br. Aidan was a great Brother to live with for the 12 years he spent with us. We wish him every blessing on his journey with God. He remains the Rector of Ascension Holy Trinity Church while he seeks full-time priestly employment. Eventually, he will leave the Hudson Valley to relocate where he finds his new position. He will be missed.

Monastery people. From top left, Br. Ephrem preaching for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany (2 pictures, Br. Randy, the presider, in the background): Br. Daniel reading a lection at mass on a weekday (2 pictures): Bros. Bernard and Aidan on his 40th birthday (last Monday); Br. Aidan in front of the Old Oak in the Little Cloister.

Here are more pictures of the aftermath of the late January blizzard that dropped over two feet of snow in West Park. We have mountains of plowed snow at various spots. Where will we plow whatever next snow might be coming our way?

Post-blizzard pictures (and before the snow-plowing)

Thank you for reading the Monastery Column.

Happy New Year!

We wish you peace, serenity and good health for 2026.

We started the year with our Long Retreat from January 3 to 11. During that time, the guesthouse is closed though our worship remains open to the public. And we observe round-the-clock silence to facilitate contemplation and rest. The liturgical schedule is similar to our contemplative weeks throughout the year: matins, mass at midday and vespers.  On the last evening of our retreat we had adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Holy Spirit chapel (a.k.a. the chapter room). Most of us delight in those 9 precious days.

But it is a joy to come out of silence at the end and check in with our Brothers how the retreat treated them.

The guesthouse reopened this past Tuesday (January 13). We are hosting an aspirant for two weeks. Aspirants have had a lengthy process of discernment with our Vocations Minister, Br. Josép. At some point they agree it is time for an aspirant visit. Those visits are usually 2 weeks or more. The aspirant lives with us in the enclosure and partakes in all of the community's activities to get an experiential sense of what monastic life here is really like.

Brothers helping Brothers. From top left, clockwise: Br. David Bryan, one of our Sacristans blows off the altar candles at the end of the feast of the Epiphany (notice the three Kings visiting the Holy Family); Br. Jacob replenishing vittles in the enclosure's atrium; Br. Daniel teaching Brothers a new boardgame; the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance in the chapel of the Holy Spirit; Br. Raphael cleaning the enclosure's atrium (2 pictures).

We have had a lot of snow and very cold weather so far this year. It makes for good winter wonderland pictures. Thank God for central heating!

This Saturday, we received the Rev. Denny Nilolopoulos, from Carmel, NY, as our latest Associate. He is a frequent visitor.

Winter wonderland, West Park. Pictures of the monastery and the meadow. Center picture: the Rev. Denny Nikolopoulos being received as an Associate (with Br. Bernard).

If you are in the northern hemisphere, we wish you a cozy and warm shelter. We pray for those who lack a warm place to call home.