A national election, a diocesan convention and a requiem

Br. Robert James, our Superior is away for a week, doing his visitation to our Priory in Toronto, Canada. He left Tuesday but not before he had voted.

Most of us went voting on Tuesday. Most of us chose to get up early Wednesday to check out the results rather than stress beyond our usual bedtime in front of the TV as the results trickled in.

The weather was less rainy this past week. I took the opportunity for a short walk in the Slabsides Sanctuary on Wednesday afternoon. I always enjoy going to the tip of the rocky peninsula that sits in the middle of the pond.

On Thursday, I drove to Rhinecliff to meet my Spiritual Director at Linwood Spiritual Center. They have an amazing view that stretches miles South on the Hudson River. I see my director every month or thereabouts. It is a needed spiritual discipline in the monastic life. I always feel heard, helped and supported when I've met with my director, a sister of the Society of St Ursula.

From top, clockwise: Bros. Bernard and Aidan with the Rev. Matthew Wright at Slabsides; Br. Bernard proudly sporting his "I voted" sticker on Election Day; a quiet vista point on the Esopus Meadows part of the Hudson River at Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinecliff

Friday was another requiem day. We remembered our Departed Brethren. Fifty of our Brothers have preceded us in this monastic life. We are grateful for all the gifts they have made to God. In many ways, we are stewards of many of those gifts today, not the least of which are our beautiful grounds and monastery.

At the Eucharist, we pray their names slowly. Then, after the service, we process to the columbarium in St Michael Chapel (the crypt) and then to the cemetery for a benediction, a censing and a sprinkling of holy water. Most of our fifty predecessors are immured or interred here at the monastery.

Monks and guests visiting our cemetery on Departed Brethren Day

Three of our priests attended one or both days of the 243rd Convention of the Diocese of New York in White Plains. Bros. Bob and Randy now both have charge of parishes in our region and this was Br. Aidan's first convention as a priest. From their reports, it appeared that much good work was done. As monastics, they would have preferred the proceedings to be more prayerful. Sometimes, a diocesan convention can seem very business-inspired and overly business-oriented.

From top, closckwise: Sr. Shane Phelan, CMA celebrating at our Sunday Eucharist; sunrays through the incense smoke during the Eucharist; giving and receiving communion.

Like most Saturday evenings, between supper and compline, those of us who wanted got together for drinks and conversation in our common room in the enclosure. Mr. Vance Greenway, our Postulant, had prepared a delicious sangria and Br. Randy unearthed a box of chocolates that had been given by one of our Associates. It is a welcome break from the routine and a lovely way to relax together.

Tonight (Sunday), many of us will congregate for another recreative activity we do most weeks: the Sunday evening movie. I curate a community Netflix queue that everyone can contribute to. We watch a great variety of movies (from American blockbusters to foreign art house movies). Br. Josép has made it one of his ministries to ply us with popcorn. We start around 6.30 p.m. so that our usual bedtime can be respected. Monks are creatures of habit...

May you have a blessed week.