Palms and Passion

This past week, the weather has cooled off to more seasonal temperature. No matter, flowering plants are forging ahead towards spring. On Monday, Bros. John and Bernard took a hike in Ferncliff Forest, in Rhinebeck, on the East side of the valley. They climbed to the top of the fire tower where you get an panoramic view of the Hudson Valley and surrounding regions.

Sunny Monday. Blooms in our gardens (3 pictures of daffodils, on picture of a budding magnolia). Bros. Bernard and John at the top of the Ferncliff fire tower (3 pictures).

On Saturday, March 23, Br. Aelred Kriel (previously known as Edwin) made his initial profession of the Benedictine vow at St Benedict's Priory, in Hermanus, South Africa. Aelred was with us in West Park through the late fall and early winter. The Order of the Holy Cross currently has three men in initial vows: Bros. Francis, Bruno (previously known as Marc) and Aelred. Thanks be to God for these faithful men pursuing their monastic vocations.

Br. Aelred's initial profession of the Benedictine vow at St Benedict's Priory, Hemanus, South Africa. From top left: Br. Aelred signing his hand-written instrument of profession on the altar; the written instrument; Br. Aelred receiving his choir cowl from his Prior, Br. Roger under the eyes of his Formator, Br. Scott; Group photo of the Priory community (Bros. Luc, Aelred, Roger, Mpumelelo, Daniel and Scott); Br. Aelred being blessed with holy water by Br. Roger.

On the same day, we prepared for Holy Week by veiling the icons and statues in our St Augustine church. The veiling is a stark visual reminder that Jesus's passion is coming. It is a symbol of what it would be like to be separated from the Presence of God. Icons are sometimes referred to as "windows into heaven." They are a "window" into the Divine. And it is also suggested that the Divine is peering at us through the icons. Our peering at the Divine is symbolically hampered or precluded when the icons are veiled.

Veiled icons and statues throughout our church and in our chapter room (center left picture).

This fifth Sunday in Lent is called Palm Sunday. The eucharist proceeds in two stages: the liturgy of the Palms (which we hold in Pilgrim Hall) and the liturgy of the Passion (which takes place in the church). In-between we all process with our palms in hand from one location to the other singing Hosannahs.

The liturgy of the Palms in Pilgrim Hall. From top left: people assembling; Br. Robert James censing the palms; the aspergellum (holy water sprinkler) and incense boat; Br. Samuel distributing the blessed palms; the bulletin; Br. Randy reading the gospel (Br. Francis as thurifer).

For many years now, students from Princeton Theological Seminary come to the monastery for the Passion weekend with Professor Bo Karen Lee. Br. Josép never fails to enroll them to read roles in the passion lection on Sunday morning.

The liturgy of the Passion as part of the Eucharist, in St Augustine church. From top left, clockwise: the altar party processing into the church from the statio and ambulatory; worshipers singing with palm in hand; Princeton Theological Seminary students reading their parts in the Passion; Br. Randy reading his part as narrator in the Passion; Bros. Josias and Anthony (in the forefront) during the singing of a hymn.

May God grant us all a blessed Holy Week.