Listen carefully my son...

Br. Marc is visiting his family in Belem, Brazil. His Dad died this past week after a long illness. Please pray for the repose of Marc's dad's soul. And pray for their family in their grieving.

Our Brothers at St Benedict's Priory, in Hermanus, South Africa rejoiced as they clothed Mpumelelo Khambule as a Novice in the Order of the Holy Cross. Congratulations, Mpumelelo!

Mpumelelo's clothing as a Novice. From top left, clockwise: Br. Roger Stewart blesses the monastic habit Mpumelelo holds in his hands; the newly clothed monk hears the encouragement of his community; the monks of St Benedict's Priory (Br. Scott Borden, Br. Roger Stewart, Br. Mpumelelo Khambule, Br. Daniel Ludik, Br. Josias Morobi - not in the picture, Br. Edwin Kriel who is currently in West Park)

Progress not perfection. The monastery as large as ours is never totally and completely in good repair and up-to-date in its physical plant. There is always something that needs replacement, repair or transformation. This week, an elder calligrapher (Howie) who also does decorations on vintage cars restored Br. Roy Parker's calligraphy of the first few words of St Benedict's Rule as they appear on the cornice in our Chapter Room. He did a beautiful job. One cannot discern the original parts of the calligraphy from the renovated ones. 

Repairs and maintenance. From top left, clockwise: Howie tranferring the traced calligraphy the wall (2 pictures); "Sing a new song to the Lord" (three guitars and a mandolin in the Formation Room; so many gifts); our bookkeeper Toni's office dropped ceiling being renovated.

This weekend, Br. Ephrem led a silent retreat on Merton. His doctoral dissertation was on Merton. And his enthusiasm for the subject is catchy. A couple dozen guests learned a great deal and were inspired. Br. Ephrem will repeat this retreat in July. 

Check out our events calendar at  https://holycrossmonastery.com/events/

In Silence with Thomas Merton. From top left, clockwise: Br. Ephrem giving one of four conferences on Merton; attendees and a display of Merton books in front; retreatants listening to the last conference.

And here is a 360 degree collage of the renovated Chapter Room calligraphy. The cupola over the chapter room is in the shape of an octagon. The words feature on the eight sides of it.