August 19, 2017

The annual retreat for the monastic community ended at this morning’s conventual Mass, with a renewal of the monks’ solemn vows and a fraternal embrace of each other after the Abbot’s homily. The retreat was conducted by Fr. Adrian Burke, OSB, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. Fr. Adrian divides his time between giving retreats, spiritual direction, counseling and teaching lay students at St. Meinrad’s School of Theology.

He devoted his talks to various components of hospitality and its recipients. In Chapter 53 of his Rule St. Benedict gives detailed instructions on how guests are to be received as Christ and cared for, with special attention to be paid to the poor and pilgrims. Fr. Adrian expanded that welcoming to inward hospitality to our ‘shadow self’ and even to God. His talks were very enlightening and gave us much food for thought. We wish him every blessing on the good work he is doing helping people to know God more intimately and lovingly.