Each November we take the time to remember those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. We remember and pray for our deceased confreres, family members, alumni, and friends. We read in our monastery’s Book of Customs,
| “The bond of the common life is too strong and too full of faith to be confined to this life only. When one of the monks our community is called to eternal life and the vision of God, the whole community does mourn without hope. Rather, the consolations of faith allows the whole community to offer thanks to God for his gifts and to offer supplications for the departed brother that God be merciful to him. For when one of our brothers, having persevered in the monastery until death, is called home to God our hope of one day being reunited in Christ strengthens the bonds of mutual love and concern and the pilgrim Church becomes more closely united with the heavenly Church.” |
This is not true only for monks, but for all believers. This notion that we are still united to our beloved dead gives us hope as we continue our pilgrim way. Yet, through our faith, we are offered the comforting assurance that death is not a final farewell, but a transition. In Christ, life does not end but transforms, blossoming into something beyond our understanding, where our loved ones enter the fullness of God's presence. This belief urges us to look beyond what we can see, trusting that our loved ones remain with us in a new way–living in the light of eternity and within the embrace of God's infinite love. The Benedictine life teaches us to embrace the wisdom of remembering those who have gone before us, knowing that in God's love, no one is forgotten. Here, within the silence of our abbey, the prayers of our monks will carry these intentions throughout the day, as we offer the Divine Grace, the Holy Eucharist, and the quiet, unseen prayers of our hearts. We invite you to submit the names of your deceased loved ones by clicking the button below. You may also mail your prayer requests to the Abbey. We ask that you remember our deceased confreres as well, especially Father Cecil who was called to the glory of the Resurrection this past year.
-Abbot Isaac and Community