Contemplative days

Last week, Br. Robert James was on an at-home retreat and Br. Bruno was on staycation (staying at St Mary's House at the top of our driveway). 

Last week also, Bros. Ephrem and Jacob co-led a hiking retreat for a group of seven guests. On Sunday, Bros. Josép and Raphael went to  NYC to see Raphael's friend Maxine Thévenot in her directing debut at Carnegie Hall.

This week we all observed Contemplative Days when we are in greater silence round-the-clock with a lighter liturgical schedule and the expectation of lighter work engagements.

Monastery people. From top left, clockwise: Bros. Josép and Raphael at Carnegie Hall: Br. Josép waiting for the right time to ring the church bell (two pictures): Bros. Ephrem (third from left) and Jacob (on the right) at Lake Minnewaska with seven guest hikers: Br. Ephrem with the Rev. Guimond Pierre Louis of Covington, LA, at Kaaterskill Falls:

This past week has seen a heat dome linger of the Northeastern United States. Thankfully, we have several air conditioned spaces for guests and monks to get reprieve from the heat wave.

Monastery grounds. From top left, clockwise: the Old Oak and Little Cloister in the rising sun; a doe browsing low hanging foliage; a bumblebee sampling hosta nectar; St Joseph and child Jesus in the hostas; variety of hostas near the enclosure.

The prominent blooms indoors and outdoors this past weeks are hostas and yarrows.

Indoors blooms. A variety of yarrow and hydrangea arrangements throughout the church and the guesthouse (4 pictures); votive candles in the church (2 pictures).

May you enjoy temperate weather wherever you are.