First week of Advent

This week, Br. Ben was on his pre-profession retreat at St Mary's House up the driveway. Midweek, Br. Bernard was offering in-person spiritual direction at Berkeley Divinity Scool, at Yale, New Haven, CT. On Friday, he visited an incarcerated Associate in Danbury, CT. This weekend, Br. Ephrem is on a mission to St Stephen's, Middlebury, VT.

Throughout the week, at home, we were observing contemplative days (simplified liturgical schedule, round-the-clock silence and encouragement to keep work engagements to a minimum). Many guests prefer to come when we offer full silence. You can always ask Donna, our guesthouse manager when those days are.

The great oak and people. From top left, clockwise: the great oak in the snow storm and after the storm (2 pictures); the snow covered oak as seen trhough the windows of Pilgrim Hall; Br. Will capturing the snowfall on his phone; Br. Aidan and Sr. Shane Phelan, CMA, on an outing at Eveready Diner in Hyde Park.

On Tuesday, we celebrated the feast of St Andrew (transferred). The monks dined in their white habit as is customary for first and second class feast, while snow fell all around the refectory.

This Saturday, a secret St Nicholas (his feast is on December 6) distributed little purses of gelt in all our mailboxes. Thank you, Santa.

At Saturday vespers, we lit up the second candle on the advent wreath.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: the monks in their white habits coordinated with the snow storm around the monastery; Bros. Aidan, Will and Ben, and intern Jack Mullins in choir (advent wreath in the foreground); two candles lit on the wreath; chocolate St Nicholas money (two pictures).

Please pray for Br. Ben who is preparing to make his initial profession of the Benedictine vow this coming Tuesday.