Second week of Eastertide

We have sheltered at home for six weeks now. No guests in the Guest House. No visitors for our worship. How long, o Lord, how long?

We are anxiously awaiting the second batch of funds for the Payment Protection Plan under the Cares act. We applied the first time around for a loan from the Small Business Administration. This would enable us to continue employment for our staff to the end of June.

Meanwhile, on our grounds Spring continues to demonstrate that hope is justified. This past Friday, we had a community faith sharing on the theme of hope in our monastic vocation and for our Order. Our hope is founded in God. Our hope is not tied to desired outcomes. We trust in the mercy of God throughout all our experiences, good or difficult.

Plants show us the resiliency of creation. From top left, clockwise: tulips planted last fall are in full bloom; a cherry tree in blossom above daffodils planted last fall (as seen from my cell); naturalized daffodils in the meadow; the same cherry tree and daffodils (as seen from the South of the meadow); the beautiful intricacy of an american walnut shell; tulip close-up.

We are very fortunate that we can go and walk our grounds without having to worry about physical distancing. When we hike to nearby parks, we discover that they have beccome very popular even during the week.

Human presence on the grounds. From top, clockwise: Br. John paying a visit to his deceased Brothers in our cemetery; same; the first blooms of a magnolia planted three years ago; close-up of that magnolia; staff from our landscaper keep the trails mown.

We continue to livestream our Vespers on our Facebook page every Wednesday and Saturday. We are glad that so many find some sustenance this way.

One of our Associates wrote to me to say: "it feels like I’m talking to God more directly when I’m praying in chant." That's what he said to a friend who watched Vespers with him and asked him why we chanted the office. He echoed the same question to me. So here is what I answered him.

¨Bis orat qui bene cantat¨ is a phrase attributed to St Augustine which says ¨One who sings well, prays twice. I also think that chanting builds a loving community. Our breathsbecome synchronized. We listen attentively to each other. We learn to blend and not dominate. It´s a powerful way of learning community in a fully embodied way.

Sunday finery. From left, clockwise: Brothers Bob, Josép and Carl chatting while awaiting for Sunday dinner to be served; waiting fo the bell to call us into the refectory; a post-dinner Qwirkle game (Cari's first) with Brothers Bernard, Aidan, Max and Josép competing; in a monk's up-to-date wardrobe (face masks for rare errands  and a habit for more festive occasions).

We hope you hang in there. Let us be patient and perseverant. We are saving lives by staying home (and wearing masks and observing physical distancing when we are not).

Join us for online prayer when you get a chance on our Facebook page. You can also watch the streamed Vespers later if you can't make it at the time of the live feed.