A Christmas Feast

After waking up to snow, we had a nice lazy morning, an incredible breakfast, some time to just sit and enjoy the tree in Pilgrim Hall, worship (of course) and finally an incredible Christmas Feast.  We had beef and pork roast, and I'm not able to remember all the dishes, but all sorts of fancy vegetables, salads, and of course... desserts!

At the end of the meal, Br. James (the guesthouse manager) brought out Hari, Robyn and Tim, the creators of the meal who all received a standing ovation!



And that brings another visit to the monastery to an end.  Again, it was a warm time of praising God and meeting old friends and making new ones.  I never cease to be amazed at the different people who come to retreat here... my companions on this journey so to speak.  This time I had the pleasure of dining with both an elementary school woodshop teacher, and a seamstress for the Metropolitan Opera. 

It was a Merry Christmas!

White(ish) Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

We awoke today to the perfect amount of snow, considering that we have a 2 hr drive this afternoon.

Christmas Eve - Worship and Merriment

We went down early for worship this evening since seating last year was pretty tight.  They had an organist, a flute or two, someone on a harp, a vocalist and Br. James (the only one I could see) on an oboe.  Music in the chapel always sounds good - even bad notes (I'm not implying that there were any, just making a point about the acoustics).

The late service on Christmas Eve is similar to that found at any church... lots of hymns, the typical readings and the like.  There's no chanting of psalms like most of the other monastic worship experiences.  The chapel looked stunning of course and the readings, mood and music all came together to bring Joy to everyone.

After worship was over, everyone - guests and visitors included - was invited over to Pilgrim Hall for what is termed on the program as "Christmas Merriment".  Nobody went away hungry from this... lots of food, eggnog (yes, "enhanced" eggnog was available), all sorts of wonderful stuff.  This STARTED around midnight!  As they say, a good time was had by all...

We had a moment on our way to hear the music before worship to have our photo taken... have a Merry Christmas everyone!

A Meditation (and thoughts on assumptions)

We gathered in Pilgrim Hall for a meditation this evening - sort of a way of transitioning between the two services.  Rev. Suzanne Guthrie gave a wonderful meditative reading and interpretation of the Christmas story... with individual sections on Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, Magi, etc.

As I was listening to it, I realized that to someone who wasn't raised as a Christian, there are an awful lot of assumptions we make about the Christmas story.  We say the word "Shepherds" and an image comes to our minds - even though many of us have never seen one - but what if you weren't raised on these stories.

Vicky said that to me afterwards... "You've heard this story before, haven't you?"  Well, um, yes... perhaps I have.  Actually, I've heard and read this story many times each December since I can remember.  She was curious as to why we would all sit around in rapt attention to hear it again.  I tried to explain that each person and each retelling offers a different take on the story and all that builds over the years into what we call faith.  Rev. Suzanne's take was to help the listeners try to picture themselves in the story... and bring the present world into the story.

I gave Vicky a Bible and encouraged her to read the first few chapters of Luke.  That may have been a mistake as I'm getting a steady stream of questions as I write this blog.  So far...

What are Magi?

What is a descendant?

Who was David?

Who was John?  (Which one... my son... the disciple... the Gospel author... turns out it was John the Baptist - from Luke 1)

What does "manger" mean?

Why did God pick Mary?

On that last one, I tried telling her that "learned people" have been debating that for thousands of years.  Answering these challenge my own faith in new ways.  What exactly does the Christmas story tell us?  Which details are important to my faith, and which are adornments? 

As I said earlier, it's a privilege to be along on this journey.

Monks in Hats!

There are all sorts of surprises in the monastery at Christmas.  Tonight at Vespers we were singing the hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" and Br. Roy started it in Unison (melody only - the way the monks usually sing hymns) and we all joined in as usual... but at the beginning of the second verse the monastic choir suddenly broke into 4 part harmony and everyone in the congregation also went to their parts.  It was glorious... no organ, no instruments, just human voice.  It was a nice surprise.

Like last year, the service ended with a wonderful candelight procession around the church to the creche while singing "Silent Night".  Last year I was told the story of how two people showed up at the monastery a while back and offered to make artwork in exchange for lodging.  This wonderful creche, made from discarded timbers, was one of their works.

After Vespers, we had our first feast of Christmas - roasted turkey breast, stuffing and zuccini.  The circle around the table is growing as more guests arrive.

And the other surprise at Dinner was... MONKS IN HATS!  One of the regular guests brought santa hats for all the brothers. 

You can feel the mood lightening all around the place... earlier I heard a brother whistling "Silent Night" as he was walking down the hall.

Christmas Decorating

After lunch (if the meals are switched so the main meal is at night, I guess that means we can call the Noon meal lunch?).... Anyway, after lunch we launched into decking the halls, building the creche, moving the poinsettas and the like.  I helped Br. Bernard in the chapel for the first part where we set up the creche, perfected the seating (figuring out how to accomodate the extra guests without too much knee damage), set up the poinsetta display by the altar.  Then I joined Vicky in Pilgrim Hall where the tree trimming was going on and a little contest started in decorating the window sills.  Greens were being put up everywhere.  Afterward, there was time for a quick nap before all the festivities begin at 5:00.

Exploring the Hudson

Each time I come here I always reserve just a little bit of time to explore around the Hudson. valley. I had to run north to quickly stop by a pharmacy (in my quest to unpack stuff before rushing here, I forgot to pack some things).

On the way back we took a side road and stopped by the little river lighthouse a tad north of the Monastery for a quick look.

A Quiet Morning

I woke up and realized there was only 3 minutes until the bell rang out for Matins (early morning worship). Somehow I made it.

The monastery has a sort of somber beauty. The leaves have all fallen, so you can see more of the river than usual. The sun was just rising as we finished worship and got ready for breakfast. I went out on the Great Cloister where the rising sun had intensified the redness of the brickwork... very peaceful - and cold - out there.

Why Would You Spend Christmas at a Monastery?

Because of our recent move, I've condensed all the normal Christmas Preparations into one week.  We deliberately avoided Christmas preparations (except to order some photo cards) ahead of the move as it made no sense, and I didn't want things to get lost amid the sea of boxes.  I've had one box that was well labeled with Christmas stuff that showed up ahead of the packers and I guarded it like a treasure.  It was quite a rush this past weekend to get some shopping in, find all the essential items from the moving boxes and get up here.

Notice the words above... Christmas stuff.  In our culture today, that's what it's all about, isn't it?  I mean, anything having to do with Christmas - even the Creche I gave Vicky for her first Christmas in our new home - qualifies as "stuff" in some sense.  You just can't get away from it.  You want to send greetings to distant family members... you need Christmas cards - more stuff.  I gave away our old Christmas tree after last year (because I knew my days with the 12' ceiling were limited) so now I had to get a little 5' tree - you guessed it, more stuff.  Sure the stuff can have symbolism.  It can help us focus on Christ.  It can aid our worship.  But frequently, the stuff aspects of it triumph any redeeming qualities.  How long did I spend selecting the right Creche, the perfect tree, the... well you get the idea.

I've wrestled with this for decades.  Raising a family and trying to balance the gift giving with some aspect of worship that day (do you know how hard it is in some areas to find a church open on Christmas day), you frequently loose the focus on Christ's birth and the incredible gift God gave us.  Amid the trains, new flashlights, cookies, dinner, travel, etc., you're lucky if you can carve out an hour or two for God... some years you can't. 

Combining a retreat - that's what any visit to the monastery is - with Christmas gives you the opportunity to break some of these patterns (even if it's only for a few days).  Holy Cross is a "thin place".  You can feel the separation between man and God is less here.  From the moment you walk in the door, you feel two things - a sense of welcome and a holy presence.  They're around you constantly.  (I used to think it was a happy accident... I've since learned that the brothers work incredibly hard to achieve that.)  For the couple of days you're here, the focus IS God and the gift he gave us in Jesus.  Yes, you get to play with wonderful stuff - trim a huge tree, help set up a unique room-size creche, hang garland, etc.  But you don't "own" any of it which greatly helps in putting the stuff in the context of God.

I learned all this last year when what should have been a sucky Christmas (my first after the divorce with my son away at his mother's, etc.) turned out to be one of the best for me.  Everyone who is here for Christmas is seeking something and we're all each other's family for the few days.  Yes, afterward I went to visit family and take part in the typical American Christmas, but those few days at Holy Cross were an essential time for me.

This year, I expect that sharing it with someone special will increase it's meaning to me. Vicky is still exploring this thing we call faith.  That has been an incredible privilege to watch this these past few months.  I look forward to seeing how it all plays out this year.

Christmas the Monastery Way

I had a chance to check the schedule... Today is a normal monastic schedule. We had Vespers at 5:00, Supper is at 6:00 and then compline a little after 8:00 before spending the night in silence.

Tomorrow is normal as well until Noon. After Dinner (the Noon meal), we'll start to trim the large tree in Pilgrim Hall and set up the rest of the guesthouse, etc. a service involving a procession to the Crèche is at 5:00, with dinner later and a more formal worship with lots of music after 10:00 PM. That all follows with "Christmas Merriment" after midnight.

Christmas Day starts with sleeping in, then worship and a feast before heading back home.

We made it!

Whew! We made it just in time for Vespers (with 15 minutes to spare). It's been a whirlwind few months with a condo purchase, packing a move and unpacking. A couple of days of decompression as we observe Christmas with the brothers is needed.

We're in St. Mary Magdelene, which overlooks the river. A barge was there to welcome us.

But I hear the bell ringing... Gotta go.

Too little time

One thing about a quick weekend trip to the monastery is that as soon as you start to get adjusted to the pace of life, it is time to go.

After Eucharist, we had to pack up and return to life (I had to figure out where I'm living in the next few months).

But even a weekend was a nice time to relax a little and thank God for his many blessings.

A view from across the river

My friend, Vicky, was going a little stir crazy - It does take a little time to get used to monastery life - so we took off for a drive after dinner (the Noon meal).

The Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park is right across the river from the monastery and the view of the monastery is always picturesque.

Morning Sun

As we sat and ate our breakfast in silence, we had an incredible display as the sun burned off the fog this morning.

An incredible day

After a tour of GE's Analytical labs this morning, I hopped on the NY Thruway and was at the guesthouse in time for it opening at 2:00. It's a beautiful day... clear and cool... vibrant color in the leaves but still enough green to intensify the fall colors.

This trip is one of Thanksgiving. Life has been great lately. God is good. R

A Quick Visit...

I find myself in upstate NY, after a business meeting at GE's Research Center. When I looked at the map, I realized that my drive home will take me right down the Thruway, so fortunately, Laurie has vacancy and I can stop by for a few days of prayer before life gets really crazy in the next few months.

End of Benedictine Experience 2012

Before I sum up the Benedictine Experience, I must first share with you "George's First 'Rule' of Monastic Living"... which is NEVER skip breakfast on Sunday.  I swear that is the true secret of happiness since breakfast this morning included scrambled eggs, thick-cut bacon, cheese grits and fresh fruit (along with the ever present monastic coffee).  It was simply incredible.

So today we end the Benedictine Experience 2012.  This is a frequently repeated program that differs somewhat from year to year.  A number of my companions on this journey have done this year after year (some for decades) and a few of the brothers date their interest in the monastic life to one of these retreats.

It's really just an immersion into the guest life at the monastery... attending all the services in the chapel, taking part in the "School of Prayer" discussions, learning about themes from the Rule of St. Benedict, Worshiping, Praying, Learning, Working and of course Eating (I guess there's some sleep in there as well).  I will be thankful for Doug's recommendation of "Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living" by John McQuiston II - this book paraphrases the Rule of St. Benedict as a way everyone can live a more balanced life.

As I've seen every Sunday, these last few hours are spent with people trying to drink in all the incredible spaces the monastery offers for reading, reflection & conversation.  Above are the quiet cloister which overlooks a huge tree, Pilgrim Hall which is sort of the monastery's "living room", and the guest library with it's incredible brick fireplace.

So finally after today's services, a last wrap up for BE2012, and of course the Sunday feast, we all leave and the Brothers have some much needed time to themselves.

This time, I dive right back into the real world... no leisurely drive and walk across the Hudson, etc.  I have to make it back in time for the end of an open house (trying to sell my home) and a friend's 60th birthday party.

Thanks for reading...

Beads, Bees, Work and Recreation

For some reason, I didn't sleep very well last night (perhaps a bit too much nodding off during my "quiet reflection time"), and when I awoke to one of the train whistles I went to the window to see the lights of the train pass (which you can't photograph), but I saw a ton of stars in the sky so I tried a night shot.  Unfortunately, as I was doing that I realized that the floor boards were squeaking and thought better of trying to perfect the photo in light of any possible downstairs neighbors.  When the sunlight flooded my room this morning, though, I had to capture that.

We departed from the planned "School of Prayer" lesson on the Holy Eucharist for one on Praying with Beads (due to class interest).  Br. James (the white) took us through the history of prayer beads and shared with us several examples, many of which you can find in the monastery gift shop.  (I realize that sounds more commercial than intended... there were no "Three easy payments of $19.99 if you get them in the next hour" sort of pitches, he just pointed out that the gift shop carried prayer beads that Br. Julian makes.)

We then had a lesson from Br. James from the RB about The Community at Work, where he read from the Rule of St. Benedict and explained the concept of work as a means of prayer... and also to keep monks from being idle.  It lead to an interesting discussion about how our work lives and our faith intersect.  After Dinner and a brief rest time, we went to work.

 A couple of us worked in the monastic library with Br. Adam while the rest of us helped Br. Bernard with the monastery's new beekeeping project.  Bees are due to arrive on Monday and we needed to level the place for the hives, clear some grass and get ready to install an electric fence (to keep the bears away).  It was a Bee-utiful day, Bee-nard is very excited about his bees (which is very Bee-coming to him), and now that I'm suitably tired, I'm heading to the chapel to study the Bee-atitudes. 

 During the rest period, I finally got to check out the organ in the chapel.  It's a nice Rodgers instrument... the couple of times I heard it in services it sounded thin, but I realized when playing it that I was hearing people play it without the pedals.  It seems perfectly sized for the space, though has a bit too much artificial reverb which is not needed at all in this chapel.

After Vespers, I finally got an opportunity to photograph the incense burning.  The monastery makes liturgical incense (the stuff they burn on charcoal and use in processionals, etc. - not the sticks you can burn at home).  They burn incense on Saturday Vespers and also before certain feast days.  The twirling smoke is always fascinating to me, but usually the sacristy workers take it away quickly after the service.  This evening Br. Andrew was willing to stay behind for a few min so I could try and capture it. 

(If you go to Oct 2011, you can see the incense making operation with Br. Robert and the tour.)

Finally, our evening time tonight was "Recreation" an important part of community building in a Benedictine monastery.  We had craft sodas, incredible chocolate chip cookies (Thanks Laurie!) and some wide-ranging conversations between us and Brs. Bernard and James (the black).

Meditation as Prayer & Joining the Associates

Today was our "Retreat Day" where we were to stay silent before God and listen.  We had a brief "School of Prayer" lesson on "Meditation as Prayer" where Br. James taught us the concept and practice behind Centering Prayer.  Basically you find a quiet place to be with God, acknowledge and welcome the distractions, invite God to be with you, and then use a simple word as needed to help keep you "centered" on God's presence.  We are to do two 20 minute sessions of this during our silence today.

Also Today, during Eucharist, I "joined" the monastery as an associate, becoming a part of the extended monastery family.  As part of this I wrote my own "rule of life", agree to live according to the associates rule, and declared my intent in a small portion of the Eucharist service.  I received a simple wood cross to wear while I'm at the monastery.

So for the day in silence part, I spent some extra time in the Chapel before Diurnum and Vespers trying the centering prayer, and then spent the bulk of the day sitting on my favorite Adirondack chair - reading and thinking while watching the trains move up and down along the Hudson river. 

Sitting for too long is hard on, um, well its hard, so I got up mid afternoon and did a quick walk along the driveway to check out more of the wildflowers.

At the end of the day we had another debriefing session with Brs. James and Scott.  We all experienced similar difficulty in the second session of our centering prayers, which they said was actually normal.  We also shared a lot on the problems we have quieting our minds during the silent meditation.  Without going into all the details, it was a helpful discussion and I was particularly thankful for Br. Scott's thoughts on Myers-Briggs types and meditation and prayer.  He noted that most prayer books are written by NF types so those who are ST types may have to adapt.  The discussion was much more involved in that, but was very helpful in thinking through the fact that we might be a different type than the person who created the particular way of praying we were studying.  That doesn't make it good or bad, but is something to keep in mind when pondering and choosing how we want to approach God. 

(It might also begin to explain why I seem to pray best when I'm holding a camera...)