What began as a beautiful dusting of snow, soon became a blizzard.  It is taking days turned into weeks to recover.  We are all fine and most of the trees are too, though there are many branches and small trees down.  We thank all those in emergency services for their diligence and pray for their safety.

As part of the OCSO General Chapter, participants, Abbots, Abbesses and delegates attended a Papal Audience.  In his talk, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of dreams.  Dom Bernardus, our newly elected Abbot General, opened this year's chapter by inviting all the Superiors of our Order to share their dreams.  Over the course of the 3-week meeting in Assisi, the Superiors worked on many issues facing us today, but they also left room for creative responses to the challenges and opportunities.  

Berry time at the Redwoods is a team activity.   It begins with thriving bushes loaded with luscious berries...

Summer Interns have arrived!  We are hosting three young women in June and July and two more in August.  The women come from different backgrounds and educations: this summer, several interns have come to us from divinity schools around the country.  At Redwoods, they participate in a different sort of school, a schola caritas (school of charity), as our founding Cistercian fathers of the 11th century called monastic life.

Easter Vigil. All is silent, but full of hope.
The last Adam grasps the hand of the first Adam,
And yanks him out of his grave.
The Mother of God wipes away Eve’s tears.

All around the mortal rock of the tomb,
the garden of Eden blossoms.   (Bartholomaios I, Ecumenical Patriarch)

Here are some highlights of Easter Celebrations at Redwoods:

Sr. Gertrude sings the Exultet, the Easter Proclamation.

Fr. Simeon and Sisters sing the Easter Alleluia:

Homilies:

Easter Vigils

Easter Day Mass