December 1, 2018: Eve Of The First Sunday Of Advent Here we stand at the beginning of a new liturgical year. Sr. Esther’s lovely Advent Wreath enfolds the four candles, poised and ready to receive light. Perhaps we can identify with each of the candles as they prepare to receive a particular point of light and burn brightly with it. This
On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, we had the great joy of re-electing our Mother Victoria Murray for a second six-year term as our Titular Prioress! Here are two photos from this happy occasion. Dom Brendan Freeman, superior at Mellifont Abbey in Ireland, presided at the election. Mother Kathy DeVico, abbess of Redwoods Monastery in California, was an official witness for
January-February 2018 at Santa Rita Abbey Things have been busy around here so far this year. Here are some highlights. Fr. James Garcia was our resident chaplain for six months of 2017, July-December. He left us after Mass on January 1, 2018. We are grateful for his generous service–not only providing us with the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
March 13, 2018: A Reflection on Luke 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. How many times in our lives have we been asked, “Where do you live?” Countless times, right? In the divine scheme of things we are all connected – to one another, to the universe. This
Mother Cecile Jubinville Our beloved former superior and first prioress, Mother Cecile Jubinville, was called home to God on December 31, 2017. She was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on February 17, 1920, daughter of Raoul Jubinville and Leoni Laroche. After graduating from high school, Cecile studied nursing and worked in that profession for several years. Discerning God’s call to
January 9, 2018: A Reflection for the beginning of Ordinary Time Do you remember the last words we sang at Vespers yesterday, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord? I’m sure you do, but just in case, they were: “Christ our God has made all creation holy.” So we burst from the season of light, glory, angels and God
Christmas 2017 at Santa Rita Abbey Happy New Year 2018! We hope you enjoyed a lovely Christmas celebration with your loved ones. May 2018 be full of blessings for you and all the world! Here are a few scenes from our Christmas celebrations here at Santa Rita Abbey: the blessing of our Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve; Midnight Mass; Christmas
Eve of the Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 23, 2017 Tonight’s candle fairly quivers with the joy of expectation! It will burn only one day but stands as a herald of Emmanuel. God-with-us, God to whom we can always open more of our being in the trust and love of a child of God. May the Child in the manger,