Quiet days of winter

Br. Robert James, our Superior, is in the last days of his stay with our South African Brothers at Plettenberg Bay (Western Cape Province).

Three of our Juniors, our two novices and our postulant are at a Religious Formation Program with Br. Josèp, in Mariandale, NY, for the weekend. That's eight people out. The "old guard" keeps the divine office going beautifully nonetheless.

The Council of the Order of the Holy Cross, after order-wide consultation, as mandated by our constitution, has given a warm approval of Br. Francis' request to make his Life Profession of the Benedictine Vow. It will take place at an 11 a.m. Eucharist on Saturday, March 14. We are rejoicing and asking for your prayers for Br. Francis. 

Quiet days of winter. From top left, clockwise: our Postulant, Jeremy Cannon, doing his usual meadow morning walk (two pictures); a barge and its tugboat making its way through the ice on the Hudson; the Coast Guard patrolling the river to check that navigation remains possible; graphic tree shadows on the snow.

With a covering of snow everywhere the silence is deeper than usual. From time to time, you can hear a low rumble as a ship crushes ice flows at its prow on the river.

Monastery scenes. A votive in front of St Benedict's icon in the church after curfew; Brothers conversing in the enclosure's atrium after supper.

Peace and all good to you.

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.