Contemplative Days

This week, we were in Contemplative Days from Tuesday to this Sunday morning. During Contemplative Days, monks and guests observe round-the-clock great silence. The little hours of the divine office are dispensed (diurnum and compline). The Eucharist takes place in the middle of the day. Study and personal prayer find more space and work is hopefully reduced.

Last weekend, before entering our own great silence, some of us watched the 2007 documentary Into Great Silence, filmed over a year at the Grande Chartreuse monastery in southeastern France. The 2 hours and 45 minutes is a contemplative experience in itself.

The week itself was quiet and spacious as intended. This weekend, we welcomed the family of The Rev. Daniel C. Hall, AHC. They came on a two-day retreat centered on the committal of Daniel's ashes. After Eucharist, on Saturday, Br. Randy presided to the immurement in the St Michael Chapel's columbarium (in the crypt under the monastery church). May Daniel rest in peace and rise in glory.

Monastery people. From top left, Br. Robert James, our Superior, with his grand-niece Seneca; an archival photo of Dan Hall with his children Sandi Eakin and Chris Hall (all three wearing their Associate cross - Advent 2021); archival photo of The Rev. Daniel Hall, associate priest at Church of the Advent in Cape May, NJ; the monks waiting for Sunday dinner to be served; monks working on the Christmas cards mailing (2 pictures of  Bros. Randy and Marc, and Postulant Anthony)

May you enjoy quietness and serenity in this (short) second half of Advent.

Advent. From top left, clockwise: the second candle lit up on the Advent wreath (2 pictures); Br. Aidan baked 4 chocolate cakes in preparation for Christmas (one stuck to the pan and just "had to" be eaten by the monks asap - 2 pictures); Br. Marc studying in the North end of the monastic library in front of a bay window looking over the Hudson.