The Monks Of Norcia:

The celebration of our Lord's nativity is right around the corner, but we still have two weeks left of Advent.  Let us continue to pray that we are prepared for his coming! This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday.  Similar to Laetare Sunday in Lent, this Sunday foreshadows the birth of our Lord.  For this reason, we "rejoice" and light the third Advent candle, which is pink.  Furthermore, the Gaudete comes from the first word of the introit at Mass: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum. Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. (Phil 4:4-6). To prepare for Sunday's Mass, take a moment to read Fr. Cassian's homily. And, we still have some 2014 wall calendars available.  Order while supplies last! Do you want to go on a pilgrimage with St. Benedict and Fr. Cassian?  Recent News/Homilies

A Special Message from the Monks Fr. Cassian, O.S.B. Toward the end of his life Cardinal Mayer of blessed memory – the last of the Benedictine cardinals – composed a litany of thanksgiving, which is so beautiful that I’d like to share with you: For all Thou hast given, Deo gratias. For all Thou has withheld, Deo gratias. For all Thou hast withdrawn, Deo gratias. Read More Brushing Up on the Last Four Things Fr. Cassian, O.S.B. Even if the end of the world doesn’t come right away, the end of our personal world will surely come with our death.  Therefore, it’s helpful to reflect – at least once a year – on the “the four last things”:  death, judgment, hell, and heaven.  What does today’s liturgy say about these four last things? Read More Imitating the Perfection of Heaven Fr. Thomas, O.S.B. In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents us with the parable of the kingdom of heaven being like a mustard seed:  the mustard seed begins very small, but is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree (Mt 13:32) when it has grown.  We can interpret the kingdom of heaven at the individual level:  in what measure is God present in my life today?  Read More

The Monks of Norcia need your help to continue doing their important ora et labora at the birthplace of saints Benedict and Scholastica. Please prayerfully consider supporting the monastery with a financial donation.