It has been a wonderful feast day! And, the good stuff is just beginning. I arrived at St. Meinrad this afternoon in time to settle in and join the monastic community for Solemn Vespers. Not a bad way to enter into a weeklong retreat…
The tabernacle at left is found in the Blessed Sacrament chapel of the abbey church, which is behind the great pipe system for their organ. I plan on spending many hours with the Lord in this holy place, and it is one of my favorites.
There is something very sacred about this monastery. I’m sure much of it has to do with growing up in southern Indiana, and knowing many of the monks from the time I was a small child. There is no doubt the connection of the seminary, where my own uncle, Fr. Bernie Voges studied and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Even though I did not study here, many of the priests I know and love did.
But it is a blessing to be able to make my retreat here once again this year.
So, other than some business that will no doubt result from tomorrow’s SCOTUS ruling on the Hobby Lobby case, and hopefully, a ruling from either the 10th Circuit or SCOTUS on our diocesan appeal for injunctive relief from the HHS Mandate, I’ll be shutting down the electronics for the next week. Please pray for me, and know you are in my prayers.
God bless,
+pde
Saint Meinrad Archabbey Church.