Clothing of a novice

On Tuesday, before diurnum, we clothed Br. Ben Hansknecht as a novice. He now proudly wears the white monastic habit instead of the black cassock he donned during his postulancy. Please keep Ben and his formator, Br. Josép in your prayers.

Ben's clothing as a novice. From top left, clockwise: Br. Robert Leo reads an excerpt of the Rule of St Benedict as Ben and Br. Josép listen; Bros. Josép, Ben and Robert James after the clothing; Ben listening to Br. David Bryan reading an excerpt of the Rule; Br. Robert James, our Superior, presenting the monastic habit to Ben; Ben (with hood up) after having vested in his new monastic habit, being questioned by the Superior; Brothers witnessing Ben's clothing; Ben making the rounds of choir to embrace his Brothers; Ben back in choir, blending in.

On Saturday, we received Joseph Fasano, of Middletown, NY, as our latest Associate. Joseph's family came to witness his deepening Christian commitment.

Joseph's reception as an Associate. From top left clockwise: Br. Bernard and Joseph before mass: Br. Bernard with Joseph, donning his new Associate cross, and his family; a guest's river rock composition along the Hudson; the Brothers enjoying as festive dinner on the occasion of Ben's clothing; the Coast Guard is starting to patrol the Hudson to find out if an icebreaker needs to keep a channel open to navigation.

This Sunday, our Superior, Br. Robert James is flying to South Africa for a one month visit to our Brothers in Hermanus, Western Cape province. Bon voyage.