FEBRUARY 2019

Friday 1st. Brother Stephan found a pick-up, thanks to a used car place run from someone’s home, a few houses down the road. Saturday 2nd. The feast of the Presentation. At the Offertory, everyone left their little candle on the front of the altar, one by one. It is perhaps unfortunate the reality so signified…

Tuesday 1st. Calendars were distributed in Chapter, after we exchanged New Year’s greetings. As you go around the room, and encounter such a nice variety of people, we seem more than seven. A quiet and dramatic and solemn and relaxed day. Wednesday 2nd. The geothermal pipes sprung another small leak. Late at night, our friend…

Saturday 1st. The extra chairs from last night’s feast were put back in place. Father Bede has distributed cards detailing the change to the French-language Our Father which is to take effect in Canada as of Mass tomorrow.  Sunday 2nd. Dom Mark Scott, Abbot of New Melleray Abbey in Iowa, arrived last night. Happily, he…

  Thursday 1st. The eagle cried this morning, such a pure sound, as though from elsewhere altogether. Today is our monastery’s 116th anniversary. Will there be a special cake for 120, or perhaps the 125? Today was nice, we had the chance to talk to Mother Benedict during lunch. Bede filled us in on how…

                  Monday1st. We sang page 202 for Sainte Therese of Lisieux, at Lauds. The words, are by an anonymous monk in French-speaking Europe; the music is by someone here, one of us, and after we finished singing it I thought, that’s incredible, that music came from here.…

            Saturday 1st. In front of the guesthouse, there are only two cars, Prince Edward Island licenses. It is always a good feeling to see that plate. Brother Glic and Father Innocent have taken some wire once used to enclose a field to use for the grapevines, which support themselves…

Wednesday 1st. An older couple from town asked where our raspberry canes are and went picking. Their own canes did not render much this year. Léo has been suggesting people pay what they think the berries are worth. We have also been selling tomatoes from the garden, at six dollars per five- pound bag. Thursday…

Sunday 1st. Canada Day.  Father Clovis’ eightieth birthday.  Someone was walking around the entrance, they were parked, and walking around in little circles. I thought, maybe they don’t want to come in. Maybe they’re upset. But rather, they were musing on and looking at a new sinkhole in our driveway pavement.       Danger: Monks…

Friday 1st. Record-breaking heat had our friends the swallows slowing down a lot. It was striking to see them standing almost still, on the wire and notice again how different their shape is from that of other birds. Saturday 2nd. Some neighbours agree that birdsong before dawn has grown to sounding a bit as though…

Tuesday 1st. Brother Stephan, now freed from morning milking, is able to attend Vigils at 3:40 for the first time in many years. Dom Innocent made a friendly visit to the Trappistines today, sharing Mass and lunch and a good part of the day with them. We had the tires changed on the Ford truck.…