Sweet summer days

In journalism, this period of the summer, when not much is happening, is called the silly season by some. 'Cucumber time' is another name for this time of the year, due to cucumbers being in season during the summer months. This is when news outlets have little to report. So it is for the Monastery Column.

Br. Robert James is about to enjoy the last week of his short sabbatical leave.

The newsworthy item is the double profession of Brothers Ryan Richter, FMS and Br. Robert Dittus, FMA, at the Marist Brothers Center just a mile north of the monastery on Route 9W. 

Our men in formation and Br. Josép, their formator, went to celebrate this joyous occasion with Ryan and Dittus (as he calls himself). They have gotten to know these two Marist Brothers in inter-religious formation events in the last couple of years.

Marist Brothers professions. From left, clockwise: Bros. Robert Dittus and Ryan Richter at their profession of the religious vows; the Holy Cross formation gang (The Rev. Samuel Kennedy, Br. Francis, Anthony Letchworth, Br. Marc, Jeffrey Costello, Br. Josép); the four stages of the monastic life (Br. Josép, life professed, Anthony and Jeffrey, postulants, Br. Marc, novice and Br. Francis, initially professed) in the Marist Brothers cemetery.

On a more personal note for this blogger, Véronique and Anna Biche, from Tournai, Belgium, made a two day stopover at the monastery in the middle of their American vacation. Véronique and Bernard worked together in an American bank in Brussels in the nineties. 

Véronique and Anna have both visited the monastery several times despite the distance. The first time Anna visited was shortly after her adoption as a three-year old, for Br. Bernard's Life Profession in November 2009. The profession ceremony was barely finished that Anna ran to Bernard to be picked up in his arms. She is now about to start her semior year in high school. How does time pass so fast?

Visiting friends of Br. Bernard. From top left, clockwise: Véronique, her daughter Anna and Br. Bernard at the Frozen Caboose, in Highland; Anna and Br. Bernard in front of the guesthouse; the same two persons fourteen years ago at Br. Bernard's life profession.

Thanks be to God for friends and relatives who come to visit us.

Peace and all good!