OCSO Novice Directors gather at Saint Joseph Abbey

On May 16th, Fr. Kevin Walsh joined 14 of the novice directors from other Cistercian monasteries in the United States for a meeting at Saint Joseph Abbey in Spencer, MA. Gathered were five directors from women’s houses (including one from the common observance house of women in Idaho) and ten directors from men’s houses. Sessions were focused on the topic of spiritual accompaniment using Dom Bernardo Olivera’s book A Light for my Path to organize the presentations and discussions.

As you can imagine the material was both thought provoking and practical. It helped each of us to be renewed in fulfilling the work of guiding the new men and women entering our houses. These gatherings always afford us the opportunity for mutual support as well as learning. Our brothers at Spencer could not have been more hospitable. Woven into the meeting was a trip to visit the community of Trappistine sisters in Massachusetts at Wrentham. This proved to be a delightful day as we prayed with the sisters, met the community, shared a meal with our sisters, were entertained by those in formation with a brief skit (indescribable!), received a tour of the candy making factory and got to sample the product! One of the two afternoon sessions at Spencer was sacrificed in order for us to tour their industries: the Holy Rood Guild (making vestments), the jelly factory making jams and jellies and the newest endeavor, the brewery, making Trappist ale, their first effort, and now four other beers. Concluding the sessions each one present acknowledged that she or he had been informed, enriched, encouraged and strengthened. May the gifts we received be a blessing for our communities!