Into Lent

Last week, we observed contemplative days at the monastery and (then-postulant) Marc Santana was on his pre-clothing (as a novice) retreat at St Joseph's Abbey (cistercian) in Spencer, MA.

So it is in complete silence that we spent Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Br. Ephrem had just gotten back from a family visit in Louisiana, so those who wanted were able to sport bright beads.

On Wednesday, we hosted several visitors for the Ash Wednesday observance.

Approaching Lent. From top left, clockwise: ambulatory stained glass windows (three pictures); rush hour on the Hudson river; Br. Bernard sporting green Mardi Gras beads; Br. Ephrem sporting LED-powered beads!; Br. Bernard marked with ashes.

This week just past, we had another "cycle of life" day on Tuesday. At midday, we welcomed friends of Br. Will for his funeral mass and immurement in our columbarium. It was beautiful and simple as befits a monk. Br. Robert Leo preached a hearfelt sermon.

Br. Will Brown's funeral. From top, clockwise: Br. Will's ashes laid out in the choir (three pictures); an archival portrait of Will; the brothers lineing up to sprinkle Will's ashes with holy water in St Michael's Chapel; Bros. Daniel, Carl and John, sprinkling Will's ashes placed in our columbarium.

On the same day, Tuesday, February 28, we celebrated at Vespers, the clothing as a novice of Br. Marc Santana. I'm sure Br. Will was looking on with joy on this new Brother progressing in the monastic life.

Br. Marc Santana's clothing as a novice. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert James, our Superior, sprinkles Br. Marc with holy water with Br. Josép, our Formator, looking on; postulant Marc just before the service; the postulant being examined; the postulant reading to passages of our two rules being read by his Brothers; Marc exchanging notes with his fellow novice, Br. Daniel on how to soften the habit's new material; Bros. Robert Leo, Marc and Ephrem; Brothers enjoying the supper following Marc's clothing;  Marc coming back into the church after having been helped by his formator to put on his new monastic habit; Formator, Novice and Superior rejoicing.

We had some snow a couple of times this week. In both cases, there was minimal accumulation. But it was enough to turn the landscape in a study in whites and blues. Our guests appreciated it mostly from the cozyness of our Guesthouse.

Monastery scenes. Top: Taylor Anderson, of Philadelphia, PA, enjoying a rest in Pilgrim Hall; the meadow and back of St Augustine Church under a light coat of snow.

And on this Saturday, March 4, we had the joy of clothing a second Brother. This time it was Br. Edwin Kriel who received the monastic habit and entered the novitiate at our St Benedict's Priory, in Hermanus, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

We give thanks to God for bringing us good men who answer the call to the monastic life.

The clothing as a novice of Br. Edwin Kriel. From top left, clockwise: Edwin seated between Bros. Luc and Scott; Edwin examined by his Prior, Br. Roger; Br. Edwin in his new monastic habit between his formators; Edwin surrounded by visiting friends.

Please pray for the repose of Br. Will's soul. Please pray for God's abiding love and guidance on Brothers Marc and Edwin. 

May you have a blessed lent. You are in our prayers.