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

The Triduum is a sacred time.  We spend Thursday, Friday and Saturday in a solemn ritual following the Lord as he undergoes his life-giving passion death and resurrection.  We begin with the Tenebrae which is a special prayer on Wednesday evening.  This service sets the tone for these days with the theme of alternating darkness and light.  

Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten observance with the reception of ashes.  In this photo above, Fr Simeon, from St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer Massachusetts, distributes ashes to the sisters.

Fr. Simeon reminded us in today's homily that Lent is about new birth. It mirrors the natural environment and our experience of Spring. Like the plants and trees around us, we hope to shed winter's vestiges and become alive with new growth so that we may resurrect with Christ on Easter. 

On February 11, 2022, Abbots and Abbesses from all over the world gathered in Assisi (Italy) for the first part of the General Chapter, elected Dom Bernardus Peeters as our Abbot General.  

This year the feast of All Saints brought great joy to our community with the Solemn Profession of Sr. Gertrude Feick, OCSO.  Friends and family from her hometown in Indiana came to Redwoods to celebrate with the Redwood's community.  Dom Peter McCarthy, OSCO, Father Immediate of Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey and Abbot of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Carlton, OR, officiated at the profession.  He was accompanied at the altar by Abbot Paul Mark,OCSO and Dom Thomas, OCSO, Abbot Emeritus.  Both Dom Paul Mark and Dom Thomas are from Our Lady of New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina CA.  

Sr. Kathy DeVico offered a profoundly moving evocation addressed to Sr. Gertrude.