The 311th Chapter of the Order of the Holy Cross

This past week nineteen Brothers of the Order of the Holy Cross met together in annual chapter at the monastery. It was the first time we got to do this in person again since 2019.

We also welcomed Br. Ignatius Martin, OSB/Cam, a Camaldolese Brother from Big Sur, CA. He was a keen and sympathetic observer and participant of our proceedings and preached on Trinity Sunday. We have had a covenant relationship with the Camaldolese Benedictine Order for decades.

The Holy Cross Brothers came from Canada, South Africa and the US. We had both formal meetings for the business of running our Order and lots of informal times in small and larger groups to further the bonds of brotherhood we have. On Saturday, we picked-up Br. Laurence at his nursing home and brought him to the monastery to enjoy the wider company of his Brothers. You can see him in the center of  the group photograph below (credit: The Rev. Janet Vincent).

At mass, on Saturday we celebrated the internship of Mr. Eric Anthony. He will leave us on Monday. He will start law school in Washington, DC, this coming academic year. He has been a great person to live in community with. We wish him success in his new endeavors.

In the church. From top left, clockwise: West Park Brothers on the South side of choir (note that Br. Josép is back at the head of the choir), Br. Ignatius Martin, OSB/Cam, Br. Josép thanking our intern Eric Anthony for his contribution to our monastery's life: Br. Scott Wesley Borden (of Saint Benedict's Priory in Hermanus, South Africa) in choir; Brothers from South Africa, California and West Park on the North side of choir; group picture of the Brothers assembled in annual Chapter; Br. Daniel Ludik from Saint Benedict's Priory presiding at mas; our two sacristans bantering in the sacristy (Br, Daniel Beckham, Novice and Br. Luc Thuku, Initially Professed).

The first day of Chapter. From top left, clockwise: Brothers assembled in meeting in St Gregory's meeting room; Brothers at dinner in the refectory; Brothers listening to a presentation about vocations in South Africa by Br. Luc Thuku; Brothers chatting during a break; Brothers listening to presentation

Informal moments are an important part of in-person Chapters. From top left, clockwise: members of the community chatting over a meal in the refectory; Brothers listening to a presentation; Brothers enjoying refreshments and conversation on the porch of the monastic enclosure: Yanick Savain and Br. Ignatius in conversation; taking the breeze on the porch.

This blogger (Br. Bernard Delcourt) will leave Monday on a three-month sabbatical. As a result, the Monastery Colum will be on a hiatus until late September. In the meantime, you can continue to follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/holy.cross.west.park and on the individual pages of several Brothers (Bros. Robert James, Robert Leo, Randy and Josép).

Br. Bernard will be doing a Thirty-Day Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola retreat in Gloucester, MA, in July and will be doing a walking pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain in August and early September. The readers of the Monastery Column will be in his prayers.

Leaving you for the summer with a blooming report:

From top left, clockwise: salvia, euphorbia, phloxes and peonies; in front of St Augustine's icon at the church entrance; a posy of roses; three poets getting together after Sunday mass (Sr. Annie-hannah Mancini, Br. John, The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie); the roses gracing our gallery of departed Brothersl; (center) our intern Eric Anthony receiving a Roy Parker calligraphy as parting gift.

Peace. Happy Summer!