Br. Francis' Life Profession

This weekend, our Postulant, Novices and Juniors are participating in an Inter-Religious Formation Program which we are hosting here at the monastery. It is good to see so many young religious together.

But the big news is that on Saturday, we had a Life Profession of the Benedictine Vow! Br. Francis made his profession during a festive Eucharist in the presence of his family and the many religious assembled here for the weekend. We are blessed to count Francis as our Brother. Please hold him in prayer in this new stage of his monastic vocation.

The profession mass. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Jacob, Josép, Ephrem and Daniel chant a psalm in Anglican chant: Br. Jacob offers a mandolin interlude between readings; Br. Ephrem censes the gospel reading; Br. Timothy was our preacher (here turning back to address Br. Francis); our preacher: Brothers singing the closing hymn: the altar party processing out (Postulant Jeremy is the crucifer and Br. Will is the thurifer).

Having a Life Profession is always a highlight of our lives. It reminds those of us who are professed what we have consecrated our lives to and it shows the rich blessings that our community is receiving from the Holy Spirit.

The Life Profession. From top left, clockwise: Br. Francis giving his family a tour of his working areas and showing how he prints the monastery t-shirts (from left to right: his father Jack, his brother-in-law, Francis, his mother Linda and his sister); Br. Francis at the end of his examination by the Superior: Br. Robert James our Superior embraces the newly Life Professed Brother: the Superior presents the newly Life Professed to the assembly; Br. Francis receiving the love of his Brothers (notice Br. Bede on the left who was visiting for the occasion).

On the weather front we enjoyed the freakish three days of summer weather before returning to more seasonable weather. Last Sunday, Br. Bernard attended a play written and acted by Associate Denise Bessette in Croton-on-Hudson. The play was about one of his mother's favorite French writer Colette.

From top left, clockwise: first crocus among a carpet of snowdrops: Associat Denise Bessette playing Colette: crescent moonrise over the Hudson: the play's program.

May you have a blessed second half of Lent.