Happy Easter!

Christ is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed!

We hosted a full house of guests for the Triduum. This was the first time in three years that our guests were with us to observe the three holy days and celebrate Easter.

Maundy Thursday. From top left, clockwis: hellebores (a.k.a lenten roses) in the gardens; guests worshiping at the altar of repose after the Maundy Thursday liturgy; the altar of repose; a large magnolia looming over our cemetery; daffodils among the trees; floral preparations on the sacristy porch.

The monastery was in silence from Thursday evening to Saturday evening. Whatever work needed to be done was done quietly.

Flower arrangements in the church. From top left, clockwise: magnolia, daffodils, forsythia with a dish of chrism and a dish of salt in remembrance of our baptism; daffodils, tulips and lilies at the church entrance; lilies, daffodils and hyacinths at the ambo; sprigs of magnolia in the chancel; an overview of the flower arrangements.

We started the Easter Vigil at 5 a.m. Everybody was there. Coffee helped.

The Easter Vigil. From top left, clockwise: lighting the Holy Fire; the Light of Christ represented by the paschal candle in the Pilgrim Hall; Br. Aidan chanting in the refectory; setting the paschal candle on its holder; the altar party in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit; guests in attendance in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (a.k.a the Chapter Room) in the monastic enclosure.

Br. Ephrem accompanied the mass on the organ. The Rev. Janet Vincent preached throughout the Triduum and for the Easter mass. We are grateful for her wisdom and talent.

Easter Mass. From top left, clockwise: Br. Ephrem ready at the organ; Br. Robert James censing the paschal candle in the chancel; The Rev. Janet Vincent censing the gospel; guests joyfully using their noisemakers during a hymn; Br. Aidan and our intern Eric Anthony joining in the fun; the paschal candle and the altar party at the offertory.

After two and a half hour of liturgy, refreshments were in order. Our Assistant Chef Melissa cooked a delicious breakfast for us.

Easter breakfast. From top left, clockwise: The Rev. Kathleen Bishop and the Rev. James Jones of Red Bank, NJ; guests enjoying a cup of coffee while waiting for breakfast to be served; two sacristans contemplating what's left to do for the Big Day (Br. Daniel and Br. Luc); guests enjoying breaksfast and conversation; Associate Chris Amy, from Toronto, and Br. Aidan; another table of guests lingering over breakfast.

It was so good to celebrate Easter with our guests.

Brothers and guests. From top left, clockwise: the Easter Bunny joyously ringing the bell at the end of mass; Associate Peter Field and his wife Kay Bothinard, of Ridgewood, NJ, chatting with Br. Bede; Hildegard Pleva, of Ulster Park, NY with Sister Susan John Mangan, of Tannersville, NY; Luis Reyes of NYC; The Rev. Masud Syedullah, of Hyde Park, NY and The Rev. James Snodgrass, of Baltimore, MD; Associates Lynne and The Rev. Ben Powley, of King of Prussia, PA.

Christ is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed! 

Allelujah!