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Sunset on December 31st, Feast of St. Sylvester, the day of Pope Benedict XVI’s death.   As the end of the civil year overlaps with the beginning of the new liturgical year in Advent, we look back joyfully over the blessings of these past twelve months. After so many years of planning and fundraising, the new monastery now begins to take real shape, with help from many of you. Men have joined the monastery from new parts of Europe, bringing the total number of countries represented at the monastery to eleven. The monastic cemetery construction and consecration was a symbolic step toward our vow of stability, assuring the monks and townspeople alike that we will live and die in this city of St. Benedict. Click here to continue reading.
 Now, even the top floor has been effaced in stone. We can now glimpse what the completed exterior of the monastery will look like.
 On the Feast of the Maternity of Our Lady, October 11, two monks of our community joined the ranks of the solemnly professed, making publicly this vow before God. Despite the funeral motifs, the day was one of great joy and delight. Even the nationalities of the two brothers, Polish and German, shows that deep unity is possible between nations when God is truly sought. Click here to continue reading.
 There are times when the challenges we face in our daily lives and the situation in the world around us are so difficult that just managing to survive can seem like a great achievement. Birthdays and anniversaries allow us to celebrate some special occasions every year, regardless of the vicissitudes of life. And monks, like everyone else, also love these celebrations! Click here to continue reading.
Progress has been made on the walls of the second floor of the reconstructed monastery.   We live in times of great uncertainty. From the pandemic to the war in Ukraine and the general decline evident in the Church, we are facing challenging times and many are anxious. What does the future hold? Men and women who try to live their faith in these trying circumstances often make heroic sacrifices that are far more difficult than those St. Benedict asks of his monks. Yet, to each of us, monk and layman alike, God has said, “I do not leave you orphans.” He experienced the loneliness of the Cross so that we might experience the love of the Father. At Pentecost, the death and resurrection of Christ come to their completion in Love. May the joy of Pentecost, as well as some news from “Monte” bring each of you the consolation of knowing you are not alone. Click here to view the newsletter!
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