Contemplative days

This past week, we were in Contemplative Days from Tuesday to this Sunday morning. It is a time of greater silence, deepened prayer, leisurely study and light work.

From top left, clockwise: the kitchen vegetable garden is taking shape; clement weather allows open doors and windows; a favorite reading spot on one of the enclosure's porches; Br. Will doing a walkabout in the gardens.

Br. Robert James is delighting in the garden's gifts and we delight in his gift for flower arrangements. Br. Aidan has greened the Great Cloister with hanging plants and bringing house plants outside for the summer.

Blooms and plants. Top and bottom rows: various arrangements of garden flowers by Br. Robert James.
Center row: Br. Aidan checking on the house plants taking a vacation on the Great Cloiser; hanging plants on the Great Cloister.

Brother Randy has been on vacation visiting his family in Texas these last two weeks.

Brother Josép continues his Monastic Formators Program in Italy. He and his cohort have moved to Assisi for a while.

Last week, Br. Bernard took a week of staycation to enjoy his family's visit. His elder brother Benoît, his sister-in-law Annick and his niece Coline came to visit for a week. They tooks lots of short rides in the regions to visit towns and villages. Bernard's family has visited America a few times. They have a particular fondness for diner breakfasts.

On the second to last day of their visit, Bernard's family got to visit with the Brethren and the extended community for tea and cake. Our community is always warmly welcoming of visiting relatives of our Brothers.

Br. Bernard's family visiting. From top left, clockwise: in front of the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park; Br. Bernard with his brother Benoît (French for Benedict!); Bernard's family mixing with the brethren for tea (two pictures); another diner breakfast at the Gateway Diner in Highland.

Happy Eastertide!