The Monastic Fast –
September 17, 2026 – There’s a majestic maple tree in the front yard of our monastery. Every year, she’s the first to indicate that the season will soon change. And not only is she always the first tree to suggest change, somehow it’s always the same spot in her rather wide crown that first begins to turn from summer’s green to fall’s gold.
This time of year, we also keep our eyes on our many fruit trees. So far, we’ve harvested a host of delicious yellow pears, and soon, the apples will have us on our toes too (literally!).
These earthen shifts align with an important yearly transition within our spiritual observance. Namely, on the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross (September 14), we entered into the “monastic fast”, which lasts from now through Good Friday (excepting the feast days of Christmas, of course!).
This is when, again, the days become darker, and, again, the nights lengthen –
when, again, Fridays become “soup days” –
and when, again, it’ll soon be cool enough to wear our cowls and cloaks in Church, settling us into a quieter season of prayer.
Though these changes are subtle, their meaning is clear:
Again, it’s time to slow down, to simplify, to stay awake – to watch and wait for the Lord.
That said, we must admit that this year’s watch entails something pretty exciting: the progress of our new Welcome Center! It’s coming along beautifully, thanks to our hardworking construction team. Maybe when spring comes and the monastic fast concludes, the work will be finished and we – by the grace of God – will be ready to welcome Christ well, in each of our guests!
All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
-Rule of St. Benedict: Chapter 53