Spring cannot be too far off, with the return of robins to our cloister courtyard and the days growing longer and warmer.
Indoors, the orchid in today’s photo is nearly in full bloom and will remain so for the next few months.
The liturgical color of Lent is purple or violet (note again the orchid and stained glass cross in today’s photo). Purple, considered a more “somber” or “serious” hue, reflects the mood of the Lenten season leading up to Easter, which includes the traditional practices of extra prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
While considered a “penitential season,” Lent also includes some very festive celebrations this month.
On March 19th the Church keeps the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the Foster-father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. On March 21st we observe the “transitus,” or passing, of our Holy Father Saint Benedict. On March 25th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, commemorating the moment of the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Each of these feast days will have us singing the festive “Gloria in excelsis Deo” at Mass, normally not sung during Lent. Meals on the three feasts will also have special menus, a notch or two up from normal Lenten fare.
With this comes our greetings and prayers, hoping you are having a blessed Lent. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you.
Abbot Christian and the monks
