A renewal of vows and our patronal feast

This weekend, we celebrated our patronal feast, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The liturgies were beautiful and I got to preach. It is always a bit daunting to preach on one of our holiest feasts.

This Sunday, our monastic intern, Ben Hansknecht got to present us with his remarks about the gospel of the day. This was a first for Ben and he did a great job. His internship will come to an end in mid-October. It has been a pleasure to see him contribute and grow.

A relic of the Holy Cross on display by the ambo for our patronal feast.

On Labor Day, we had a cookout regardless of the weather. The temperature was nice but it rained. No matter, it did not deter Br. Josép from grilling and we were well protected under one of the porches of our enclosure.

The next day, I picked up Br. John at the Poughkeepsie train station after his day of traveling from Southbend, Indiana. He had been visiting his family for a few weeks. His parents are having health issues that require more attention and John enabled his sister to take a well-deserved vacation. It is good to have him back home.

These past two weeks, the Guest Master's Thursday afternoon Tea migrated to the Pilgrim Hall to accommodate more participants. Conversation and home-baked goods make for good company.

Getting together. From top left, clockwise: preparing for a rainy cookout; Bros. Laurence, Robert Hagler, Aidan and Bede with Ben Hansknecht (in the middle) enjoying the grilled specialties: Br. John enjoying the sunset over the Hudson at the terrace of Shadows, a Poughkeepsie restaurant; orchids benefiting from Br. Bob's loving care; a statue of Saint Mary catching the stained glass projections in the rising sun, in the ambulatory behind the church; members of the community and guests mingling for the Guest Master's Tea; the community enjoying its Labor Day Cookout (thank you, Br. Josép, standing toiling at the grill).

A week ago on Sunday, we celebrated the renewal of marriage vows of our extended community members Yanick Savain and Matthew Wright. As you may recall, Matthew and Yanick have been living for the past four years in Saint Mary's House a the top of our driveway. They both contribute to our common life in many ways.

Four years ago, they needed to marry in time for Matthew to take his position as Rector of Saint Gregory Episcopal Church in Woodstock and because of the brother in charge's insistence that they be married before living at the monastery.

They had a simple religious ceremony in the presence of both their mothers. They vowed to have a full-fledged marriage ceremony and party later. Life intervened and time passed. This September they realized their dream of having many of their relatives, friends and favorite religious witness their commitment to God and one another. The Rev. Elizabeth Broyles, CMA, celebrated the mass, and our Br. Robert James received the renewed vows.

After the beautiful religious celebration, we retired for a banquet and dance at the nearby Stonehedge restaurant. A small cadre of monks stayed back at the monastery to take care of our guests. Much joy and merriment was had by all.

Renewal of marriage vows. In the center, the not-so-newlywed, Matthew and Yanick. From top left, clockwise, the young couple and the celebrant: a schola of Bros. Aidan, Max and Josép sang a beautiful setting of a Rumi poem about marriage; Br. Robert James blesses the couple after receiving the renewal of vows; altar party members Bros. Aidan and Robert Leo and the young couple in the Belltower before the beginning of the ceremony; Br. Robert Leo administering the chalice to Br. Rafael' Br. Aidan preaching the sermon: Bros. Laurence, Richard, Max and Bede at a table of the wedding banquet; the groom visiting with Sr. Helena-Marie, CHS and Br. Robert James.

It is a joy to witness Yanick and Matthew's witness of Christian love day after day. We wish them continued happiness in their marriage. And we thank them for the contributions that their living alongside us bring to our monastic community.