During this week of Catholic Schools Week, we are proud to continue our mission of serving the Church and the public through education and formation of character in every generation.
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How do the monks of Saint Martin's Abbey celebrate Christmas?
A few days before Christmas, a few monks will go out and receive a donated tree to set up in our community room (our living room, as it were). On the evening of December 23rd, we gather as a community to decorate the tree, while we also share some of the cookies and baked goods that have been gifted us by friends of the abbey.
The next evening, December 24th, we gather to bless the Christmas tree and sing "O Tannenbaum", a longtime tradition of our abbey.
Much like the rest of the Western world, we exchange Christmas gifts on the night of Christmas, following any advice or hints that each monk left on their "Kris Kringle" form, which were randomly distributed shortly after Thanksgiving. (The "Kris Kringle" format of gift exchange may be more familiar to you as "Secret Santa.") That way, every monk receives one gift, and is given an opportunity to express generosity and charity towards another monk during the days leading up to Christmas.
In previous years, we would also share music, poetry, or short stories related to Christmas. This year, some brothers have gathered together to read through Charles Dickens' unabridged A Christmas Carol through the Christmas season.
The pictures above show our Christmas night festivities as a community this year.
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The monks of Saint Martin's Abbey wish you all a very merry Christmas season, a happy new year, on this most joyful celebration of Mary, Mother of God! May you all be filled with the light of Christ and welcome Him in the humble posture of Mary, His gentle mother.
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Christmas is coming this week! Please join us for our celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as we welcome Christ our Salvation and God-With-Us into our midst.
Weekday Masses not listed below will be at 8:00 a.m., and Sunday Masses (as usual) will be at 11:00 a.m.
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The vigil service for Brother Aelred Woodard, OSB, will be tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the abbey church, with the funeral Mass of Christian burial to take place tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30 a.m. in the abbey church. Please join us in remembering our brother as we join together in prayer and fellowship.
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