As is traditional for us, we wait until Christmas Eve to put up the Christmas decorations. We divided ourselves in three crews that decorate the church, the guesthouse and the enclosure common room. Many hands make light work. Christmas pop music is even heard in the monastery for a while!
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Decking the halls 1. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Randy, Josép and Scott decorate the enclosure common room (2 pictures); Br. Aidan appreciates their work; Br. Robert James gives hospitality to Joseph and Mary in front of the altar in St Augustine Church. |
And decking the halls involves Pilgrim Hall where guests revel in decorating our 10 foot high Christmas tree.
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Decking the halls 2. From top left, clockwise: Br. Francis keeps the Monk's Cell Gift and Bookstore open for those who have not completed their Christmas shopping; meanwhile, the guests rejoice in decorating the Pilgrim Hall (5 pictures). |
The first Vespers of Christmas end up with a procession round the ambulatory and back into the church to place baby Jesus in his crib. We end in silence adoring the newborn Prince of Peace.
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The creche. From top left, clockwise: before the big event; the proud parents with their Beloved; baby Jesus in the manger; poinsetias galore by the ambo; an icon of Mother and Child in the sacristy. |
After the first Vespers of Christmas, guests and monks are invited to gather in the Pilgrim Hall for caroling and some refreshments. Br. Josép leads us in joy and merriment. The cookies and the apple cider help too.
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Caroling by the Christmas tree. Guests and Brothers revel in caroling by the tree in Pilgrim Hall (two closer pictures of Br. Josép leading a carol requested by Br. Robert James' great nieces Artemis and Senaca seated between Br. Josép and their father John Magliula). |
And then begin the twelve day of Christmas; known as Christmastide, this short liturgical season leads us from Christmas to Epiphany.
But celebrating and worshiping notwithstanding, cleaning needs to continue. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" says the proverb.
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Cleaning. From top left, clockwise: intern Robb cleaning the enclosure atrium dining chairs; postulant Ben cleaning the glass doors (Br. Anthony vacuuming in the background); Bros. Anthony and Josép cleaning the atrium kitchen (postulant Ben on the right); Br. John, dusting books and bookshelves in the monastic library. |
Next Wednesday, New Year's Day, we will celebrate the feast of the Holy Name. After that, the guesthouse will close until the afternoon of Tuesday, January 14. In the meantime, the monastic community will observe its long retreat; eight days in silence and solitude with as little work involved as possible. The monastery blog will be back on January 19.
We wish you a Happy New Year!
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