religious life
Sunset Time Lapse
This weekend we welcomed 30 guests for a “Discernment” retreat. Men and women of all ages and different backgrounds were here to discern God’s will in their lives. I was co-leader of the retreat along with Karen Ceckowski, who works in our Abbey Guest Center. I have to admit that I was a little nervous…
Onward, Renovation!
Here are a few updates from the monastery renovation project over the past couple of weeks. The monastery renovation is on time and should be completed May/June 2015. Above: Workers brought in a large crane to left some of the heating and cooling equipment (don’t ask me exactly what it is). Above: West side of the…
Ask a Monk Videos: Part 3
Back by popular demand, we filmed some more Ask a Monk videos with all new questions! If you missed the first two installments, please be sure to check out the blog postings: Part 1 and Part 2
Sunrise Time Lapse
Before Lauds, I set up the camera to record the sunrise this morning with the time lapse feature. It turned out pretty well for the first one I have recorded. I hope to do more videos like this in the future. It is a cold and windy day at the Abbey. From the rising of…
SEEK 2015
After 5 days in Nashville, Tennessee (Jan. 1-5), Br. Maximilian and I returned to the monastery very late at night, or very early in the morning- depending upon how you look at it. It was 2:45am, so either way, we were completely exhausted and ready for sleep, but incredibly grateful for the past few days.…
Nativity Scenes
It is the last day of the calendar year, and the monastic community began their Day of Recollection, which concludes after First Vespers of Mary, Mother of God on Wednesday evening. We have a Holy Hour for World Peace from 3:30-4:30pm on Wednesday as well. Through our prayers, we place our world in the hands…
In the Christmas Octave
The past few days have been filled with many great blessings and activities. First of all, let me wish you: MERRY CHRISTMAS Christmas is always a wonderful time of the year at the Abbey, and we continue to celebrate during this Christmas Octave. Many familiar guests grace us with their presence during these holy days,…
For those in Need
After our very successful Giving Tuesday event, where many people contributed their time and treasure in providing for families in need, we were ready for the next step: Deliver the goods! Five of us from the Abbey (including three monks) traveled to Maryville to visit with the families and bring them the gifts that aimed…
It’s Beginning to Feel a lot like Christmas
The monks began the “O Antiphons” yesterday evening at Vespers. The O Antiphons are ancient liturgical texts used at Evening Prayer of the last seven days of Advent. Each of them is a name of Christ, one of his attributes mentioned in Scripture. December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom) December 18: O Adonai (O Lord) December…