Lent at Conception Abbey

If you take a walk around Lake Placid at Conception Abbey you will see, on the far side of the lake, facing the monastery, this cross. Perhaps it is a good reminder to all of us that Lent is almost upon us. Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 9, this year of 2011. This about the latest that Lent can begin because Easter is about as late as it can be this year.

How do the monks at Conception observe the Lenten season. I suppose we observe it, for the most part, like others. But, on the other hand we probably have some special practices that are unique to Conception Abbey. Ash Wednesday itself is always observed as a Day of Recollection. There will be a conference given by the Abbot and we observe silence during the entire day with no recreation, watching t.v. etc.

Then on all the Fridays of Lent we observe silence, except for necessary talking, teaching etc. But, again we have no public recreation or watching of t.v. etc. Likewise we do not eat dessert during Lent, except on Sundays and a few of the major feastdays.

St. Benedict, as many of you know, spends an entire chapter in his Rule on the observance of Lent. Among the things that he strongly recommends is that each monk present to the Abbot the special things that he proposes to do during Lent. We go in and visit with the Abbot for about twenty minutes and he gives us a blessing for our Lenten good works asking God to bless us this Lenten season. If you would care to read what St. Benedict says in his Rule go to chapter 49 of the Rule of St. Benedict if you have a copy handy.

We also during Lent will have a series of conferences and discussions on Pope Benedict XVI document on the synod document: Verbum Domini (the Word of God).

This weekend the students are on a long off-campus weekend. They were able to leave on Thursday and will return Sunday evening. Then the first three days of Lent -- Ash Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week they are on retreat. Silence is observed on these days, they have conferences that are given by a retreat director and they spend time in prayer and reflection.

Last weekend I spent at Macon, Missouri (with one Mass at Bevier, MO) celebrating the weekend Masses since the pastor was gone. I enjoyed it and was well taken care of during my time there.

Lastly I want to wish each of you who read this blog, a Blessed Lenten season, and may you all come to the joy and peace of Easter.

Fr. Kenneth