Mount Saviour Monastery

December 2018     News:
A new liturgical year began with the advent of Advent on the 2nd.That is also when the fully professed monks begin wearing their warm and bulky choir robes to the major Offices in the chapel. The cowls are worn through Pentecost unless a dispensation is needed due to hot weather. The community celebrated one of Advent's two great Marian feasts on the 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. That evening we hosted a harpist in the chapel. She took advantage of the excellent acoustics in the crypt to produce a professional recording of Gregorian Chants.

Brothers Gabriel and John visited Father James at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse on the 10th. Father James' health remains stable. So do his good spirits. All were fortuitously able to attend a joyful Christmas concert in the Sister's chapel which included 50 members in the chorus.

On the 13th Brother Gabriel was on the road again as he traveled by bus to New York City to attend a meeting of Oblates. Also that day, Brother Savio briefly returned from his fall seminary semester. He caught a flight on the 17th from Boston to San Jose, California. He joined his Vietnamese confreres at a retreat house that was recently deeded to their community where they could celebrate Christmas together. On the first day of winter, the temperature topped out at a balmy 66 degrees. Harsh reality set in upon waking the following morning when snow needed to be shoveled.

It remained white through Christmas. On first Vespers a large crowd was on hand for the Office done by candlelight and the blessing of the crèche in the crypt which followed. About 35 friends and guests joined us for dinner in our refectory on Christmas Day. Brother Antonio headed for a family visit in Mexico (and warmer weather) the next day. A contingent from the Servants of the Word also arrived on the 26th for a week of retreat time as they have been doing for many years. They are always extremely generous in assisting us with their particular skills on projects around the monastery. Friends and guests were invited to our Chapter Room after Vespers on the 29th where they joined the brothers in singing Christmas carols. Friend of the monastery Clare Gonta accompanied on the piano and helped keep everyone on track. We closed out the year with a New Year's evening recreation provided for by Father Michael Perry.

  Happy New Year!  

COMING EVENTS:
January 18 ' 21 16th Annual Knitter's Retreat Weekend