Mount Saviour Monastery

February 2024 News:
Besides being Groundhog Day, February 2nd is also the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As is our custom we gathered in the Crypt Oratory and processed up the stairs with candles lit in recognition of Jesus being the Light of the world

Spring signs continued to appear early in the month. There were flowers in bloom, spring birds on the lawns, snakes slithering along the building foundations and what must have been a thoroughly confused black bear roaming about in what's supposed to be the heart of winter.

Brother Kim was received as a Postulant after Vespers on the 5th. He comes to us from Westchester County, New York.

Brother Dominic Savio ended his two and a half week visit with us on the 7th to return to his monastery in California. His visit to us was very timely. He went to work sewing new work blouses for our two postulants and a new habit for an anticipated novice clothing.

Our local geese which return to one of our ponds every year were first seen, and heard, on the 11th.

On the 13th the community observed Shrove Tuesday. For us, it is a day when only necessary work has to be done. Ash Wednesday and the imposition of ashes followed the next day as the Lenten Season began.

All the ewes were herded from the field into the barnyard to be examined after both a ewe and her twins were found dead in the field.  About two dozen ewes were kept in the yard after determining their time to give birth was near as well. Their birthing schedule is more than six weeks ahead of schedule. That is what happens when a ram is mysteriously discovered among the ewes. Fortunately, the weather, with temperatures in the 60's and no snow on the ground makes the situation easier for the ewes and us.

By the end of the month flocks of robins and geese, red-winged blackbirds and buzzards, all harbingers of spring, were becoming more frequent. Spring seems determined to oust winter with cold spells becoming the exception rather than the norm.

Our All Natural Soap and numerous other new items are now available to order from the Gift Shop. https://www.msaviour.org/giftshop.php