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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,…

Decorating for Christmas

The monks began decorating the monastery and dining room yesterday.  Some of the monks spent the morning and afternoon decorating such spaces as the dining room, the community room, St. Raphael Hall, and they began assembling the crib in the Basilica. Monday evening the monks had a special social hour where they placed ornaments on…

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…

O Antiphons

During this season of Advent, we have been preparing ourselves for Christ’s Coming at Christmas.  As Christmas approaches, the monks take part in the Church’s long tradition of the “O Antiphons.”  The O Antiphons are ancient liturgical texts used at Evening Prayer of the last seven days of Advent. Each of them is a name…

Renovation Continues

I took some monastery renovation pictures a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t get around to posting them.  It was around Thanksgiving time when the monks on mission were back home for a few days and they were offered a tour of the monastery.  I hope to get more renovation pictures in the days ahead,…