Magnolia time

This week, Br. Randy is on the second week of his family visit in Texas.

 

Br. Robert James, our Superior, completed his yearly visitation of our monastery. The visitation lasts about a week during which he meets with every single member of the household to hear from them about their monastic life, our community life and anything of concern or particular satisfaction about the monastery. Br. Robert gave us his visitation report this Friday. To no surprise, he concluded that we are doing well as a community praying, worshiping and serving the people of God. Indeed, it is very good. Thanks be to God.

Br. Bruno has agreed to put together a monthly worship service for the residents of Br. Lawrence's nursing home, Hudson Valley Rehab. and Extended Care Center, in nearby Highland. This first time around, he was accompanied by the members of the formation team. Br. Lawrence was delighted for the worship opportunity and for the visit of his young brothers.

Brotherly conversations. From top left, clockwise: men in formation visited Br. Lawrence (seated in front) to offer a worship service at his nursing home; intern Clay talking with Br. Samuel; Bros. Samuel and Anthony in conversation prior to a meal; Bros. Aidan and Bruno discussing something on their way to the guesthouse.

On Monday, four brothers travelled to Syracuse, NY, to see the eclipse at its fullest. Back home, several brothers watched a 97% full eclipse from our grounds. How awesome is this universe of ours! What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them? (Psalm 8:4)

Magnolias and eclipse watchers. From top left, clockwise: saucer magnolia close-up; Br. Timothy and our home care aide Kat watching the eclipse with protective glasses: the saucer magnolia east of our cemetery with the Vanderbile Mansion in Hyde Park in the background; flaming forsythia near the enclosure; butterfly magnolia close-up; butterfly magnolia shrub in the guesthouse gardens.

Manual labor is highly valued in Benedictine spirituality. We each contribute to the manual work required to keep our monastery clean, well maintained and pleasant. Br. Josép, our formator, makes sure the men in formation do some manual work together each week (on top of their individually assigned tasks). They do this on Friday afternoon. It's magical what a team four or five motivated young men can achieve in a couple of hours. Thank you, guys!

Serving with our manual work. From top left, clockwise: seeding vegetables for indoors sprouting in our enclosure's conservatory (five pictures): center left, Br. Bruno completing the cleaning of the ground floor hallways; center, Br. Josép launders and irons the community's napkins every week.

How good it is for brethren to dwell in unity (Psalm 130:1).

Moving out, moving in

This week and next week, Br. Randy is on vacation and family visit in Texas. Br. Aidan was on retreat at New Skete Monastery, in Cambridge, NY. 

On Tuesday, we said goodbye to our Brother Josias Morobi. He has now safely returned home to our St Benedict's Priory, in Hermanus, South Africa. It was a joy to pray, worship and live alongside him for a couple of months. We look forward to seeing his in person again in June, when we gather at St Benedict's Priory for our Order's annual chapter. Br. Josias will soon make his initial profession of the Benedictine Vow. Would you keep him prayer as he prepares for this important milestone?

Moving out. From left, clockwise: the Paschal candle on its stand surrounded by flowers; enjoying coffee and donuts in the enclosure's atrium to bid Bon Voyage to Br. Josias (two pictures); Bros. Samuela and Josias sharing their goodbyes.

Every week, Br. Josép makes sure that the men in formation render service to the community with some much needed physical work. The four of them work wonders wherever they turn their attention. This week it was cleaning up, tidying up and better organizing our mailroom.

Cleaning up. From top, clockwise: intern Clay Wackerman, Bros. Anthony, Josép and Samuel working their magic in the mailroom (two pictures); an example of the tidying up (paper bags and plastic bags folded and separated).

Br. Francis has successfully helped our two colonies of bees to survive the winter. This Saturday, he took delivery of a package of bees to start a third colony. He is a devoted and competente beekeeper. He sometimes shares ideas with ex-beekeeper Br. Bernard. He also benefits from advice from his beekeeper brother-in-law and his beekeeping teacher and,... lots of YouTube videos, of course.

Moving in. A new colony of bees makes its home at Holy Cross Monastery. From top left, clockwise: Br. Francis just back from Hudson Valley Bee Supply in Kingston with mellow 10,000 bees and their queen; close-ups of the bee package (2 pictures); Br. Francis prying open the bee package on the back of our ATV; Bros. Bernard and Francis satisfied with a successful move.

May the Holy Cross bees thrive and prosper.

Happy Easter!

Holy Saturday was spent in silence until supper. For the monastic community the day was used for last preparation for the Big Day. Icons and statues were unveiled in the afternoon. Floral arrangements were made throughout the church. The sacrsisty was a hive of activity.

Spring blossoms to celebrate resurrection life. From left, clockwise: various lilies in front of the ambo; sprays of forsythia everywhere (three pictures); forsythia, daffodils and ivy in front of St Augustine's unveiled icon; the artist at work at the foot of the paschal candle stand (Br. Robert James, our Superior).

On Easter morning, Br. Randy, this week's bellringer did his rounds before offices with the dreaded wooden clacker. By 4.30 a.m. many helping hands converged on the sacristy.

Ready, steady, go. From left, clockwise: the chapel of the Holy Spirit (our Chapter Room) prepared for the renewal of baptismal vows on Holy Saturday; more light, no veiling on Easter morning; Br. Randy checking the bulletin before doing the rounds of the monastery with the wooden noise maker; rise and shine: Bros. Bernard, Anthony, Samuel, intern Clay and Br. Josép at 4.30 a.m. in the sacristy, ready for action.

Our celebrations were simple, powerful and beautiful. What a privilege to live through the Triduum with a group of devoted followers of Jesus. So many contributed their gifts, their prayers and their devotion to thes most holy days. We are grateful for all involved.

We assembled in front of the guesthouse by 5 a.m. to light the holy fire. And a bright fire it was.

Lighting of the fire and marking of the paschal candle in front of the guesthouse.

We thren processed to the refectory to read and sing the history of salvation while the eastern sky turned from dark to grey to bluish indications that the sun would soon rise. From there we processed to the chapter room in the enclosure to renew our baptismal covenant. One last procession brought us to the church for a joyous celebration of the eucharist.

At the end of mass, during our last hymn, Br. Randy started the bell-ringing. He was eventually helped to keep it ringing long and loud by several guests.

All hands on deck to ring, ring, ring the bell at the end of the Easter vigil. From left to right: Br. Randy; the Rev. Suzanne Guthrie, from Poughkeepsie, NY; Suzanne, helped by Luis Reyes, from Manhattan, NY.

And of course, there was feasting in the refectory. After two and half hours of Easter Vigil, we enjoyed a cooked and conversational breakfast.

And a festive dinner was enjoyed by all at midday. We had and overflow of guests, some dining in the St Scholastica room.

Feasting; twice! From top left, clockwise: a talking, cooked, festive breakfast (two pictures); the Rev. Val Redpath and her husband Mike, from Toms River, NJ, dining with Brothers in St Scholastica room; Br. Robert James with his nephew John Magliula and his great nieces; guests enjoying good food and pleasant conversation; laying out the feast (from left to right: Bros. Bruno, Samuel and Ephrem, and our two chefs Bob and Melissa who did a great job).

It is not doubtful that a few naps were had before we celebrated the Vespers of Easter early to allow an early rest to all the participants.