Easter Octave

Blessing of the Easter fire in front of basilica
at beginning of Easter Vigil

Now that we have completed the eight days of celebrating Easter with the conclusion of the Octave days of the feast, we begin the Easter season which will last up until Pentecost. So the Church does not want us to just stop celebrating this important feast but to continue reflecting and rejoicing in it for these fifty days.

During the Easter Octave we had a different schedule on Monday and Tuesday. Monday we did not begin our morning Vigils until 7:00 AM and then Morning Prayer at 8:15 AM. On Monday evening about 25-30 Sisters from Clyde came over to join us for vespers and then for dinner. It is always a joy to have them join us. They invite us over for vespers and dinner on the feast of St. Scholastica, February 10, and we invite them over usually for vespers and dinner on Easter Monday.

On Tuesday we had our regular morning schedule but did not have reading at meals.

Everyday during the Easter Octave the community had a social gathering at 3:00 PM in the afternoon with refreshments being served. On Monday afternoon we saw the final edition of the documentary film done on Conception Abbey by Jay Kanzler from St. Louis. He is an Episcopal priest but does documentary films as a hobby. It is very well done and will soon be available for others who may want to purchase a copy.

This past weekend we had just about a full house in our guest and retreat facilities. The largest group was for an oblate retreat given by Father Daniel Petsche, O.S.B. There were fifty one oblates present for the retreat. This is, I believe, the largest group of oblates we have had for these retreats which are held twice a year. There were also three other smaller groups here. For some pictures of the oblate retreat go to: http://kennethosb.smugmug.com/gallery/7948933_ewR3N#516005119_5fU5C

The students returned on Sunday evening to begin the last four weeks of the school year. Soon it will be May and time for school graduations and other events.