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“The Church is not an association that wishes to promote a certain cause.  It is not about a cause.  It is about the person of Jesus Christ.”  Pope Benedict XVI spoke these words on July 1, 2008 and in May of 2004 explained that "Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional -- rather than as an encounter with Christ -- which explains why they don't see it as a source of joy."  And so this weekend we continue to reflect on the person of Jesus Christ. ...more...

What does it mean to be Catholic?  In light of the naming of Tim Kaine as the Vice Presidential running mate for Hillary Clinton and his claims of being Catholic while also having a public record of voting pro-abortion, and in light of the current Vice President’s recent presiding over a “gay union,” one may wonder if these should approach to receive the Eucharist.  This begs the question, are we not supposed to be ecumenical and welcoming of other Christians and outlooks?  >>READ MORE>>

“I will go to the altar of God.”

Welcome back WVU students!

Last week I reflected on the end of Mass and how we should schedule the Mass into our lives because it is the high point of the Christian life.  This weekend I would like to reflect on the nature of the Mass.  The Mass is the moment in our week, whether once or more often, when we come before our Lord and God to worship Him.  The Mass is therefore not about us, our feelings, or even community per se, but, as the highest prayer of the Church, is about us coming before God as individuals because of His personal invitation to us to be in relationship with Him.  

“Ite Missa Est” = “Go, it is sent” and, as one will find on the USCCB website: “At one time, the people were dismissed with the words "Ite, missa est" (literally meaning "Go, she—meaning you, the Church—has been sent").”

This weekend I would like to reflect on the Benedictine vow of stability.  A vow which seems to stand in stark contrast to our very busy, ever moving world.  As Benedictines, our vow binds us to a particular monastery, so my vow of stability binds me to St. Vincent Archabbey and the Abbot of our community.  I am bound to the monastic life as lived out at St. Vincent, which is based in our particular schedule of prayer and work.  That being said, as one currently assigned outside the monastery, I am not bound to all the same particulars as my brothers who live at St. Vincent.

Last weekend I mentioned that our community welcomed new novices, and celebrated the simple profession and solemn profession of vows in our community. The vows we take as Benedictines predate, if you will, the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  We take vows of obedience, stability (to a particular monastery), and conversatio morum, which is roughly translated “conversion according to a monastic way of life” and includes poverty and chastity.  Last week I touched on the vow of conversion by speaking about change in our life and our need to be rooted in Christ.  This weekend, I would like to reflect on the vow of obedience.

In Matthew 7:25 we read: “The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”