Well, wouldn't you know it, Christmas is coming up. Five of us have started rehearsing for a little schola to perform at Christmas Eve Vespers and at Christmas Day Mass. I can't hear music in my head when I decipher it and I don't understand how I don't get lost singing in harmony but somehow we make pretty nice music together. I love the way we keep Advent calm and contemplative here at the monastery. It can be jarring when we venture into "Commercial Christmasland."
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Advent sightings. The candles light up on the Advent wreath
and the Christmas tree appears in Pilgrim Hall. |
Last week, we had our Advent Contemplative Days. Three days of round-the-clock Greater Silence, a simplified liturgical schedule, no work obligation and a guests contingent that thrives on the silence too.
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Contemplative Days visitors. From top, clockwise, Jayne Smith from New York, NY;
The Rev. Beth Grundy from Osterville, MA and The Rev. Dave Milam of Middleborough, MA;
Rebecca Bradley and Terry Rogers, Third Order Franciscan. |
On Wednesday, we received an "old friend" as a new Associate. Peter Field has long visited our monastery and over the years has introduced many, many of his friends to it. He likes to "share" the monastery. If you're intrigued by what it entails to become an Associate, make sure to talk to Br. Josép about it. It's probably easier than you suspect.
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| Peter Field, from Ridgewood, NJ, is our latest Associate |
This Tuesday, Br. Robert Sevensky returned home from his sabbatical in Britain. We're very happy to have him back home. His sabbatical runs out on January 15, so he'll take it easy until then and make family and friends visits.
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| Br. Robert Sevensky, on a visit to Rievaulx Abbey shortly before his return home. |
May you have a blessed Christmas!
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