Happy Easter!

Holy Saturday was spent in silence until supper. For the monastic community the day was used for last preparation for the Big Day. Icons and statues were unveiled in the afternoon. Floral arrangements were made throughout the church. The sacrsisty was a hive of activity.

Spring blossoms to celebrate resurrection life. From left, clockwise: various lilies in front of the ambo; sprays of forsythia everywhere (three pictures); forsythia, daffodils and ivy in front of St Augustine's unveiled icon; the artist at work at the foot of the paschal candle stand (Br. Robert James, our Superior).

On Easter morning, Br. Randy, this week's bellringer did his rounds before offices with the dreaded wooden clacker. By 4.30 a.m. many helping hands converged on the sacristy.

Ready, steady, go. From left, clockwise: the chapel of the Holy Spirit (our Chapter Room) prepared for the renewal of baptismal vows on Holy Saturday; more light, no veiling on Easter morning; Br. Randy checking the bulletin before doing the rounds of the monastery with the wooden noise maker; rise and shine: Bros. Bernard, Anthony, Samuel, intern Clay and Br. Josép at 4.30 a.m. in the sacristy, ready for action.

Our celebrations were simple, powerful and beautiful. What a privilege to live through the Triduum with a group of devoted followers of Jesus. So many contributed their gifts, their prayers and their devotion to thes most holy days. We are grateful for all involved.

We assembled in front of the guesthouse by 5 a.m. to light the holy fire. And a bright fire it was.

Lighting of the fire and marking of the paschal candle in front of the guesthouse.

We thren processed to the refectory to read and sing the history of salvation while the eastern sky turned from dark to grey to bluish indications that the sun would soon rise. From there we processed to the chapter room in the enclosure to renew our baptismal covenant. One last procession brought us to the church for a joyous celebration of the eucharist.

At the end of mass, during our last hymn, Br. Randy started the bell-ringing. He was eventually helped to keep it ringing long and loud by several guests.

All hands on deck to ring, ring, ring the bell at the end of the Easter vigil. From left to right: Br. Randy; the Rev. Suzanne Guthrie, from Poughkeepsie, NY; Suzanne, helped by Luis Reyes, from Manhattan, NY.

And of course, there was feasting in the refectory. After two and half hours of Easter Vigil, we enjoyed a cooked and conversational breakfast.

And a festive dinner was enjoyed by all at midday. We had and overflow of guests, some dining in the St Scholastica room.

Feasting; twice! From top left, clockwise: a talking, cooked, festive breakfast (two pictures); the Rev. Val Redpath and her husband Mike, from Toms River, NJ, dining with Brothers in St Scholastica room; Br. Robert James with his nephew John Magliula and his great nieces; guests enjoying good food and pleasant conversation; laying out the feast (from left to right: Bros. Bruno, Samuel and Ephrem, and our two chefs Bob and Melissa who did a great job).

It is not doubtful that a few naps were had before we celebrated the Vespers of Easter early to allow an early rest to all the participants.