Wednesday 1^st. Two monks had occasion to see a bob cat in our yard this week.

Thursday 2^nd. We met to discuss some new legislation from our Order, which works year by year on gradually updating, or improving, or adding to things.

Friday 3^rd. In refectory, we tried listening to monasteries’ house reports, as read by a digitized voice. Sounds good. After clearing away some more snow, Brother Paul carefully backed the John Deer into the shop / garage, this morning.

Saturday 4^th. We had a singing practice at our places in Chapel, just after Lauds.

Sunday 5^th. Brother Leo was once again pondering the course his life has taken, and in particular how as a young person he worked at the Calvaire stone quarry, for the monks, never dreaming he would himself become a monk one day. He had a mixed impression of the monks, finding them by times a bit slow minded.

Monday 6^th. Chicks arrived at the poultry barn today.

Tuesday 7^th. I was able to see the bob cat myself. It was walking near the north side of the monastery, as relaxed as could be. In Chapter, Dom Innocent commented the Rule of Saint Benedict on humility.

Wednesday 8^th. Our history of religion in America audiobook has brought us to the middle of the 19^th century. The story remains distinctively fresh. For now, Catholic America is not getting much attention. When we get to Kennedy and Vatican II, perhaps the book will offer a capsule history from 1600 on.

Thursday 9^th. Mass stipends in our Diocese, and so for us are increasing from ten dollars to fifteen, after Easter. The number of Mass intentions received here climbed when Covid began, and have not decreased since.

Friday 10^th. Brother Paul Richards is taking his turn reading at the Offices, and it is striking to hear now-familiar texts, often on conversion this time of year, delivered by a new voice.

Saturday 11^th. Snow melting is revealing the top of the little hedge which runs along the lakeside.

Sunday 12^th. The heating system went down but was restored soon enough.

Monday 13^th. The change to daylight savings time, also inadvertently advanced the clock for the bells by a minute, so when showing up in Chapel as usual, we find ourselves with an extra moment to prepare for prayer together.

Tuesday 14^th. Brother Leo got a needed haircut. For 96, he has quite a mane. He claims his hair might fetch a fair price, were we to sell it.

Wednesday 15^th. Brother Paul was wondering if New Brunswick winter might be drawing to a close. It is not, and with the snow, only one person, a retreatant was at Mass with us this morning.

Thursday 16^th. Having caught a cold, I turned to our honey, on my toast for the first time in a while. It truly is a great honey, with a balanced taste and sweetness. A bee-enthusiast monk of yesteryear found this product for us, produced not far west from Moncton.

Friday 17^th. We received our first Easter card, with a nice note.

Saturday 18^th. We had a singing practice this morning. In the morning, Brother Paul was tidying around.

Sunday 19^th. Father Bede offered Mass for Father Graham’s mother, who passed away yesterday.

Monday 20^th. We had a joyful Mass of Saint Joseph, followed by a festive meal at noon. These are the only occasions where we converse over lunch, and today there was a pleasant mix of topics, including practical matters, and recurring themes, from Brother Leo, including: ‘does anyone here remember Joe Louis, the boxer?’

Tuesday 21^st. In the scriptorium, a new wall clock was placed, to replace a failed one. This one ticks, and from atop a stairway in the distance, the ticking makes a  person realize just how quiet it is here.

Wednesday 22^nd. Our geothermal heating technician was by to continue tuning things up. At Mass, Father Bede has relinquished his duties setting the altar for Mass; from now on, the Deacon for the week will do this.

Thursday 23^rd. Dom Innocent and Father Graham attended funeral Mass in Moncton for Graham’s mother, Jeannette Touchie.

Friday 24^th. Brother Leo often dreams the night away in one, specific locale, often exotic but last night he was in Saint John, New Brunswick, a city he has never seen, but wishes he had seen. In the dream was a colorful Saint Johner retreatant of yesteryear, named Mary.

Saturday 25^th. This year, the holy feast of the Annunciation marked 20 years since the day of former superior Bede’s Abbatial Blessing, an event which, happily, brought his sister Marie and his cousin Mary our way from England. This evening, Brother Paul delighted us once again with excellent pizzas.

Sunday 26^th. March can be drab outside, but still more snow has freshened the look of things once again.

Monday 27^th. Gentler but generous-enough spring snow continues, while in the distance one can hear water running off the grotto spillway.

Tuesday 28^th. We met in Chapter this morning to look at the schedule for Easter 2023. One notable change this year will be the re-institution of the washing of the feet, Holy Thursday.

Wednesday 29^th. The monks each received some Easter treats from a friend, with a stern counsel: ‘no cheating.’ Father Graham helped hear confessions this evening in Acadieville.

Thursday 30^th. Work is underway on an automatic door opener, at the east end of the scriptorium, beyond which our robes are hung up, and the elevator entrance is found, and part of the sacristy is.

Friday 31^st. Our refectory audiobook, the Story of Religion in America: An Introduction, drawing with expertise on vast historical resources in order to offer one path through the story, is a book that was written with care; with love, even.