Mount Saviour Monastery

August 2021 News:
The first week of the month fortuitously initiated the only extended period of dry weather since the fields were ready for harvesting. Between favorable weather and no machinery breakdowns, Brother Bruno had 28 stacks of hay to feed the sheep during the winter months by the end of the week. Each stack can weigh between two to three tons depending on the particular type of grass. That is roughly the minimum number of stacks needed until there is new grass in the spring. Another period of dry weather for a second cutting would be welcome. On the other hand we have not had to irrigate the garden this season which is supplying us with abundant tomatoes and vegetables and our water wells are full.

Mount Saviour's Titular feast day was celebrated on the 6th, the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The first three houses on our hill were named Peter, James and John. Those names were also among the first to be given to the earliest candidates received by Reverend Father Damasus.

Speaking of names our women's guest house, Saint Gertrude's, was named after a generous donor to the monastery in the late 50's Gertrude Newell. Now that the new caretakers Samantha and Nick have completed their move, the house was blessed by Father Don on the 8th with several brothers in attendance.

The first guest since the retreat houses were closed in March 2020 was received on the 16th. We are limiting the number of guests who can eat in the refectory with the monks so as to maintain (un) social distancing. Attendance at Mass and the Offices since reopening is reduced from pre-pandemic numbers which has made social distancing easier.

At the end of the month, the fields were just as wet as at its beginning. The remnant of hurricane Ida was expected to blow through to usher in the month of September. Brother Bruno brought the haystacks made this year into the barn undercover on the final two days of the month before the already saturated fields became worse.