Summer and winter in OHC

Br. David is back from two weeks a priest-in-residence at the House of the Redeemer in Manhattan. Br. Robert James, our Superior, got back from a one month visitation to our Brothers at St Benedict's Monastery in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Br. Bernard visited Berkeley Divinity School at Yale for a couple of days, meeting with seminarians in spiritual direction.

This Sunday, we are completing our week of Contemplative Days. We had a good number of guests travelling along in silence and solitude.

During his stay at St Benedict's Monastery, our Superior and the five Brothers visited their neighbours at The Crags - Elephant Sanctuary. We couldn't pass on sharing a few pictures.

The Crags - Elephant Sanctuary. From top left, clockwise: Br. Josias taking a selfie with Br. Robert James: the full gang (left to right: Bros. Josias, Aelred, Mpumelelo, Daniel, Robert James and Roger): a sancturay resident: Bros. Robert James and Mpumelelo in front of a couple of elephants:
feeding the elephants: zebras.

Last week, the novitiate visited Br. Bede at The Meadows, his nursing home in Rhinebeck. Br. Bede is always a gracious host and enjoys the company; so did our novices, our postulant and their Formator.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Raphael, Will and postulant Jeremy with Br. Bede at The Meadows, in Rhinebeck; Associates Marty Burt, of  South Burlington, VT, and Chris Amy of Toronto, ON, in the Pilgrim Hall; the Brothers in choir during mass, Br. Randy presiding; Br. Josép preaching; Chef Jason Medina in the refectory.

On the weather front, winter has gone from bitter cold last week, to very cold this week. We are starting to get daytime temperature above freezing for a few hours. The deer are finding the snow cover challenging and get closer to the buildings to browse whatever they can find.

Monastery scenes. From top left, clockwise: a series of arches in the crypt (St Michael's chapel); graphic tree shadow on the snow in the meadow (how's that for an alliteration?): deers browsing on the hillside behind the enclosure; bringing a bit of spring indoors.

May you have a blessed Lent.