ABBEY NEWS
Gaudete Sunday
Today we join the entire Church rejoicing over the fact that Advent is half over and Christmas is only two weeks away. But here at Genesee we have another reason for rejoicing. This past week the Abbot’s Council gave their approval for our second postulant, Br. Joachim, to enter the novitiate upon the completion of his postulancy. On Tuesday he will begin a five day retreat, spending most of time at one of the hermitages, and be clothed in the novice’s habit next Sunday in chapter bringing up to three our novitiate population. One of the largest novitiates we’ve had for quite awhile. We pray he will have a grace-filled retreat in preparation for this next step in his monastic journey.
Lectio Notebook
We wait and wait for the Lord. We become very conscious of the waiting. It is an eager waiting, full of anticipation and wonder, for as with the prophets of old, our companions on the road, we long to see his face.
The Lord, of course, is very much aware of this patient waiting, of this deep yearning for him, and he is ever ready to come into our lives and fulfill our deepest desires. Advent waiting is always twofold. On our part, we await prayerfully, consciously, and anticipate his coming. On God’s part, he is eager to arrive and find a warm dwelling place in our hearts. The greater our desire and patience in waiting for him, the fuller we shall be filled with his presence.
If we learn to cultivate this inner attitude of waiting for him steadily, faithfully, not only during the Blessed Advent days, but throughout the whole of our lives, we shall likewise be rewarded with the grace, joy, and warmth of his real presence in the innermost of our hearts.
Monastery Journey to Christmas
Br. Victor-Antoine D’Avila-Latourrette
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