Gifts from our Spiritual Father
As you might expect, March 19th was a particularly special day for our community this year. What could be better than celebrating the Solemnity of St. Joseph, in the Monastery of St. Joseph, during the Year of St. Joseph? The foster-father of Christ is also our beloved spiritual father, and he has provided for us in so many ways. We wanted to share with you some of the special “gifts” he gave us on and around his feast this year …
A Special Relic
We recently “rediscovered” our community’s relic of St. Joseph’s cloak! Sr. Frances Marie incorporated it into a special display for the feast. The draped cloth is meant to represent the fatherly cloak of our Patron embracing our monastery and the whole world.
Flowers Galore
The daffodils and other spring flowers bloomed just in time for St. Joseph’s day! Some were picked for decorations in chapel (see the lovely bouquet in the photo above!), while others were left to delight passers-by.
A New Bridge
Some years ago, a community friend and her family built a special footbridge over one of our creeks, for ease of access to the Angel’s Peak trail. After much use from nuns, retreatants, and the occasional UTV, it was in need of significant repair. In honor of St. Joseph, the local Knights of Columbus and their families generously volunteered to fix the bridge from the ground up, using donated steel beams to protect against sagging in the future. The carpenter from Nazareth truly provided for our needs through these generous men!
A Vocation Discerner
Last, but certainly not least, on the weekend of March 19th-21st, we welcomed a vocation visitor to our monastery. Please keep her in your prayers as she discerns God’s call for her life!
As we approach the Sacred Paschal Triduum this week, we wish each and every one of you a most blessed and grace-filled Paschal season. In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to remain close to our Crucified and Risen Lord. He conquered death by death — come, let us adore Him!