Father Albert Leads Retreat for the Monks
The well-known Franciscan preacher Father Albert Haase, OFM, led the annual retreat for the monastic community for six days, beginning October 18. Father Albert is the director of a diocesan retreat center in Texas, but he is a native of New Orleans. All were agreed that the days we spent with him were of enormous benefit to both the community and to the individual monks themselves. A number of the monks said that it was the most outstanding retreat they have had since joining the monastery. Two talks were given each day, and Father Albert also preached at the Eucharist and was available for personal consultation. Among the topics he addressed were listening, the sacrament of the present moment, our image of God, praying with creation, spiritual darkness, living the Paschal mystery, and forgiveness. Father Albert illustrated his knowledge of Cistercian spirituality by quoting many Cistercian sources. He also gave a nod in the direction of his own founder, St Francis, by giving a talk on the Wolf of Gubbio and showing a video on Franciscan spirituality, which he himself had made. We thank God for the graces and blessings of this wonderful retreat.