Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

(Originally posted on October 17, 2017) While I was on retreat a few years ago at the Abbey of the Genesee , I paused (as I often do on my visits there) before the statue of our Blessed Mother which welcomes visitors to the monastery.  It is a simple but beautiful image. I think you will agree. On that day, as I prayerfully gazed into her eyes, these words came to me: "Come closer my child. Draw near to me. I want to embrace and kiss you as only a Mother can." What a gift to us "poor banished children of Eve"!

A happy and blessed New Year to all who visit here!   [I thought this post was worth sharing again.]   A Different Kind of New Year's Exercise  (Originally posted on January 1, 2018) Those who visit here, know how blessed I have been over the years to spend time in retreat at the Abbey at the Genesee in Piffard, New York. [If you missed those posts and wish to take a peek, you can find them  here , here ,  here  and here .] (Image Source: Abbey at the Genesee) This present post was prompted by an e-mail I received last week from the Abbey’s Retreat House manager, reminding me of what a perfect time of the year it is to visit this Trappist monastery. He enclosed this breathtakingly beautiful image of our Blessed Mother located near the entrance door to the Abbey. Since death can occur at any time and since we must always be prepared for it, the beginning of this new year seems an appropriate time for me to highlight some o...

We thank Allison Gingras at  Reconciled To You    and Elizabeth Riordan at  Theology Is A Verb   for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. It is a privilege to share our work with them and their followers . A Different Kind of New Year's Exercise  (Originally posted on January 1, 2018) Those who visit here, know how blessed I have been over the years to spend time in retreat at the Abbey at the Genesee in Piffard, New York. [If you missed those posts and wish to take a peek, you can find them  here , here ,  here  and here .] (Image Source: Abbey at the Genesee) This present post was prompted by an e-mail I received last week from the Abbey’s Retreat House manager, reminding me of what a perfect time of the year it is to visit this Trappist monastery. He enclosed this breathtakingly beautiful image of our Blessed Mother located near the entrance door to the Abbey. Since death can occur at any time and since ...

(This image of Our Lady (used with permission) graces the entrance to the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, NY)

Those who visit here, know how blessed I have been over the years to spend time in retreat at the Abbey at the Genesee in Piffard, New York. [If you missed those posts and wish to take a peek, you can find them  here , here ,  here  and here .] (Image Source: Abbey at the Genesee) This present post was prompted by an e-mail I received last week from the Abbey’s Retreat House manager, reminding me of what a perfect time of the year it is to visit this Trappist monastery. He enclosed this breathtakingly beautiful image of our Blessed Mother located near the entrance door to the Abbey. Since death can occur at any time and since we must always be prepared for it, the beginning of this new year seems an appropriate time for me to highlight some of what Father John Eudes, O.C.S.O. shared when I last made a retreat at the Abbey. He began his presentation by reminding us that “there are many surprises in life, that some are life-changing, and that o...

Thank you Allison Gingras at  Reconciled To You   and Elizabeth Riordan at  Theology Is A Verb   for  hosting Catholic bloggers at  Worth   Revisiting .  It is a privilege for us to share our work with you and your readers .  Stop by for a visit now .  My post for this week: Monday Musings - As Only A Mother Can (Originally posted August 14, 2017) While I was on retreat last week at the  Abbey of the Genesee , I paused (as I often do on my visits there) before the statue of our Blessed Mother which welcomes visitors to the monastery.  It is a simple but beautiful image. I think you will agree. This day, as I prayerfully gazed into her eyes, these words came to me: "Come closer my child. Draw near to me. I want to embrace and kiss you as only a Mother can." What a gift to us "poor banished children of Eve"!

While I was on retreat last week at the Abbey of the Genesee , I paused (as I often do on my visits there) before the statue of our Blessed Mother which welcomes visitors to the monastery.  It is a simple but beautiful image. I think you will agree. This day, as I prayerfully gazed into her eyes, these words came to me: "Come closer my child. Draw near to me. I want to embrace and kiss you as only a Mother can." What a gift to us "poor banished children of Eve"!

Thank you Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for your weekly invitation to re-post our favorite articles on Worth Revisiting. Go here now (and every Wednesday) and let an interesting group of Catholic bloggers nourish you in your Faith journey. During the rest of each week. visit Allison at   Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb .  You will be pleased with what they share. My Winged Messengers (Originally posted August 29, 2016) (Image source: Pixabay) Whenever I have been blessed to spend time in the chapel at the retreat house at the Abbey of Genesee an assortment of birds always flies above and around the exterior of the chapel as I first begin to pray – carefree, chirping, doing what God created them to do, and trusting Him to provide for their needs.  After a time, they leave me as silence returns. The presence of my feathered friends at these times of prayer is God’s way of reminding me that if H...

(Image source: Pixabay) Whenever I have been blessed to spend time in the chapel at the retreat house at the Abbey of Genesee an assortment of birds always flies above and around the exterior of the chapel as I first begin to pray – carefree, chirping, doing what God created them to do, and trusting Him to provide for their needs.  After a time, they leave me as silence returns. The presence of my feathered friends at these times of prayer is God’s way of reminding me that if He cares and provides for these little creatures, how much more certain I can be He will do so for me. I can never be reminded of this truth enough.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons ) Nearly a year ago, I shared a brief article on prayer – a gift I received while on retreat at the Abbey of Genesee . That post was well-received. You can read it here. If you read that simple reflection, you will understand what a blessing it was for me to return to that special place a few weeks ago and to hear Father John Denburger, O.C.S.O. discuss prayer once again.  Father did not disappoint. Underlying all prayer, he told us, is God’s decisive love for each of us. During the course of his presentation, this soft-spoken and insightful teacher drew a distinction between two types of prayer: maintenance and spousal. 

W e thank Allison Gingras and Elizabeth Riordan for inviting Catholic bloggers to re-post their favorite articles on "Worth Revisiting” Wednesdays.  Do yourself a favor- go there now (and every Wednesday) and gouge yourself on a feast of spiritual treasures. Be sure to visit Allison at  Reconciled To You and Elizabeth at Theology Is A Verb during the rest of the week.  You will find much spiritual nourishment and encouragement there. Here is my contribution: Monday Musings - Good Prayer, Bad Prayer, The Better Prayer (Originally published September 28, 2015) There is always something more that a hungry soul can learn about prayer. I found this to be true during a brief presentation Father John Denburger, OCSO offered at a recent retreat I made at the Abbey at the Genesee in Piffard, New York. I hope I can do justice to the pearls he shared with us. The most important relationship we are called to develop in this life," Father began, ...

I have been blessed over the years to visit the Trappist community at the Abbey of the Genesee in Piffard, N.Y.   - to take time to enjoy the counsel, peace, quiet and solitude they offer. I have shared some of the spiritual insight I have been blessed to receive during my retreats there. Here is one example. But I have not been able to get there as often as I would like. In between visits, I have treasured a homily given by Father Justin Sheehan, OCSO in 2008. I received his permission to share it with you. May God use it to stir your hearts and souls. By the way, the next best thing to visiting this special place in person is to do so online. Missing their Monks' Bread and other delights? Fear not! Y ou can have them sent directly to your home with a click of a button or two . Check them out. They would appreciate your support.Now for Father's Homily: Silence and Solitude – Homily by Father Justin Sheehan, OCSO, Abbey at Genesee: August 10, 2008 Every h...