We celebrated Labor Day as we always do—as a work day. We commenced mowing the fields, not for hay, as we already have enough stored for the winter, but to prevent them from becoming overgrown. Painters also put in significant labor this month, touching up peeling paint on several of our buildings. We also welcomed […]
Brother Christopher returned home from the hospital on August 3rd following multiple surgeries after a hit-and-run car accident. Fortunately, he is expected to make a full recovery with no permanent injuries, though the incident remains under criminal investigation. On August 6th, the monastery celebrated its titular feast day, the Transfiguration. In honor of this feast,
The month began with five consecutive days in the 90s, reaching a high of 98 on the third. We observed a holiday schedule on the Fourth of July with an indoor picnic out of the sun. The Orein Artist Group was here from the sixth to the twelfth and fortunately enjoyed cooler weather. This was
The community observed a spiritually rich month, marked by four major solemnities and a week of communal reflection. · June 4: We celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the first of the month’s four solemnities. Brother Roman Pallone, OSB, from Saint Vincent Archabbey, joined us for the celebration.· · June 11: Following Vespers—which marked
We started the month with Father Don taking a well-deserved two-week break. We are incredibly grateful to Father Michael Perry, who generously stepped in to cover for him while he was away. Father Michael celebrated Mother’s Day on the 10th by inviting all the mothers at Mass up to the altar for a special, heartfelt
We had a beautiful Holy Week, welcoming about 40 guests to the chapel for Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Our Easter Vigil began at 5:00 am and drew 45 participants for a moving service that concluded around 7:30 am. Afterward, everyone was welcomed to join the brothers in the large refectory for breakfast before the
EASTER 2026 + LET ME ADMIT IT, DEAR FRIENDS: QUITE OFTEN, WHEN I SEE THE SUFFERING AND DESTRUCTION OF OUR POOR WORLD, I NEARLY DESPAIR. AND YET, SPRING BURSTING FORTH THESE DAYS WITH SUCH ELEMENTAL POWER, GIVES ME NEW COURAGE. A SINGLE FORSYTHIA BUSH AGAINST THE BLUE SKY IS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE ME THAT LIFE
An AI Composition We had a lovely visit from Abbot Cuthbert and Dom Michael of Farnborough Abbey, which wrapped up on the 2nd. We sent them off the following day after a festive celebration together. Spring seems to be arriving early—we spotted our first groundhog (or “whistle-pig,” as Father Martin liked to say) on the
On February 2nd, we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord—also known as the World Day for Consecrated Life—with our traditional candlelit procession from the crypt to the upper chapel. It was a festive day despite the -5°F morning and Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter. The following day, we observed the Memorial of Saint