27th December is the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist, who is here depicted with his symbol. #StJohn München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, BSB Clm 4453; 'Gospels of Otto III'; c.1000 CE; Reichenau; p.86

In a 1964 letter to the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, the Black Muslim revolutionary Malcolm X said he modeled his method of spreading Islam after the Christian apostles, especially St. Paul. Dcn Tim Tilghman says this can teach us about Black Catholic renewal. buff.ly/ypfL4AN

26th December is the feast of St Stephen. Here is the benediction for St Stephen protomartyr. #StStephen BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold; 10th century; England, S; ff.18r-18v

Merry Christmas everyone. Homily for Mass on Christmas Day, Basilica de Nuestra Señora: -El Dios que se hizo vulnerable: En esta conexión encontramos la salvación. -The God who made himself vulnerable: in this connection we encounter salvation. youtube.com/watch?v=Yiem...

The monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year! #christmas

From the Prophet Zephaniah (4:14-20)

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion shout , O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.

“Why should not the Word be given to us as a child? The Child-Word in his powerlessness can be so easily and by a thousand means rejected and got rid of, almost without believers noticing… The Child-Word clings to us and seeks warmth and protection from [our] weak human flesh.” HUvB

Monastic Christmas Liturgies: extended Divine Offices, all the vestments, chasubles, albs, and copes. Chanted Gospels, processions to Marian Shrine for I Vespers and II Vespers (why not?). All the Abbey Church bells and rung during the Gloria during Mass in Nocte. And, incense galore!

The Nativity #Nativity BL Yates Thompson 2; The Ottobeuren Collectar'; Germany, S. (Ottobeuren); 12th century; f.57v

Augustine Sermo185 Celebrémus festum diem, quo magnus et ætérnus dies ex magno et ætérno die venit in hunc nostrum tam brevem temporálem diem. Celebremos el día festivo en el que el inmenso y eterno día que viene del inmenso y eterno día, llegó a nuestro tan breve día de tiempo.

One of the Canticles we chanted at Lauds, along with Psalm 92 and 148.

From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Rejoice with Jerusalem exult in, all you who love her. Rejoice with her in joy, all who are mourning over her So that may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast, So that you may drink deeply and delight in the abundance of her glory" 1/3

Dr. John F. Leeke, who spent his five-decade career promoting DEI with the nation's top companies and schools, has published a new memoir. The Black Catholic advocate joins his coauthor and daughter, @anandaleeke.bsky.social on the latest episode of the BCM show. buff.ly/Veuf4wH

One monastic author describes religious life as an ancient workshop or laboratory of Christian living because most religious vows entail obedience and spiritual freedom. When one or both are compromised, there are invariably symptoms of abuse, division, paranoia, or breakdown of community life.

St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Denver is home to a diverse congregation, including Black Catholics who have seen gospel music hymnals reportedly thrown in the trash under a new pastor. Dr. M. Roger Holland II explores the racist elements at play. buff.ly/EvLhbZA

Initial 'E'(x) formed of the author writing the text on wax tablets Copenhagen, Det Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 218 4°; Macrobius, Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis; c.1150 CE; Southern France ?; f.46v

An article in The Tablet by the director of our Institute of Sacred Music, Br. John Glasenapp, OSB, about the origin of the modern Christmas song. #Christmas https://www.thetablet.co.uk/features/a-sleigh-ride-to-bethlehem/

"There is no doubt that foreign workers, despite any difficulties concerning integration, make a significant contribution... Every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance." Caritas in veritate 62

"What is so mysterious about a little baby?" https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/seminary-blog/echoes-from-the-bell-tower/advent-reflection-o-magnum-mysterium/

"It is in this way that the holy Church of God will be shown to be working for us the same effects as God, in the same way as the image reflects its archetype. For numerous and of almost infinite number are the men, women, and children who are distinct from one another and vastly different..."

Boethius in the dungeon, with Philosophy holding book and sceptre, and the departing Muses München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, BSB Clm 15825; Boethius, De consolatione philosophiae; 11th century; Salzburg?; f.1v

Looking for a holiday present for someone interested in 20th century Catholic metaphysical controversies? Let me suggest my book, *The Ambiguity of Being: Lonergan and the Problems of the Supernatural* www.cuapress.org/978081323804...

This morning, I listened to our tailer and local historian on the monastic liturgical arts and practices recount the development of liturgical vestments during the Liturgical Movement. Again, the 18th-19th century Catholicism never seemed to end.

Luther and Germanic marriage rites would be a thing... @sharonk.bsky.social. How do you do this?

The Office of Hispanic and Latino Ministry at Saint Meinrad joyfully hosted its traditional Posada. This beautiful Advent tradition invites us to walk with Mary and Joseph as they search for a place where Jesus can be born. View the full gallery here: https://tinyurl.com/uk8enhdr

The thing is: saying that, "We Benedictines did it first!" is probably not something to claim as an ideal for contemporary monastic living.

If you want to discuss Balthasar's Theo-Drama 4 with me still, how's a January schedule look? Below, I've split it into its 4 major parts. Let me know if you're - interested - would like some kind of "live" discussion (ie, Zoom) Let's think apocalyptically about human action together! Or not!

Portrait of Paschasius Radbertus at his writing-desk #writingdesk BL Harley MS 3061; Theological miscellany, incl. Paschasius Radbertus, De corpore et sanguine Domini; 1st quarter of the 12th century; England or France, N. W.; f.1v

Belonging to the Crucified: The Beauty of the Church in Image and Reality (October 2016). Reflections on “Game of Thrones” & Confirmation candidates; Popes Benedict & Francis; Bonaventure, Thomas, deconstruction & the poor at the center of the Gospel. wordsandthings.org/2025/12/13/b...

Jean Leclercq did a lot to kick start a renewal of monastic theological and cultural studies. Since the Va II, there is a lot of scholarship in the field between medievalists, monastic historians, and spiritual writers.

Day 6 of Christmas break: "Monastic theology" is neither spiritual theology, ascetical theology, nor in opposition to early scholastic thought.

Misa al aire libre, Guadalupe Parish, Brownsville: Dios humaniza al hombre a través de la humanidad que recibió de la Virgen; es decir, nos quita nuestros corazones de piedra y nos da corazones de carne.

Day 5 of Christmas break: history Monastic schools and various styles of monastic theology from Cistercian, Victorines, Cluniac, and German apocalyptic streams.

“Rather than articulate a tight…solution, [for von Balthasar] drama presents an alternative framework that holds fate and freedom in the dramatic tension of providential love. The confrontation between fate and freedom happens in God’s action toward and for the world.” (133).

Fr Clarence Rivers, the father of Black Catholic liturgy, will receive a historical marker in Ohio next year. He was the first Black priest in the Cincinnati Archdiocese and the first Black Catholic to integrate African-American patrimony with the Mass. buff.ly/vgAOzLL

A heuristic I picked up through human formation seminars and ministry is that parents have impossible jobs After my first semester in seminary, with professors trying to navigate the use of AI in classrooms, I say: Professors already have extremely difficult jobs, but now it seems impossible.

Hrabanus Maurus presents Pope Gregory IV with De laudibus sanctae crucis. Trinity College, Cambridge B.16.3; Hrabanus Maurus, De laudibus sanctae crucis; 10th century; f.1b @trincolllibcam.bsky.social

St Dunstan as a bishop writing a commentary of the Rule of Saint Benedict, and beginning with the opening words: 'Obsculta o fili praecepta magistri..' BL Royal MS 10 A XIII/1; Miniature of St Dunstan as a bishop; 12th century; England (Canterbury); f.2v

Quote with your model of masculinity

A confrere spend over two years translating and editing our Office Readings during Vigils and Lauds. This morning was a very moving meditation from Anselm of Canterbury on Mary as Tabernacle and Seat of Wisdom. I do not tear or cry. That was confrere next me in choir.

7th December is the feast of St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan who is here depicted in the initial 'D'(e). BL Royal MS 6 B VI; 12th century; St Ambrose, De Mysteriis, and De Sacramentis; 12th century; England (Rochester); f.2r

Christmas Break Day 1: HUvB's Monastic theology of revelation

My usual discernment concerning theological disputes: Are said theologies of X good, meaningful, and worthwhile? Are they presented with clarity and charity? What is the context? Are there possible inadequacies? How are my reactions manifesting in thoughts either way?

Saint Meinrad Archabbey will offer several reduced-rate Young Adult Retreats in 2026 at the Saint Meinrad Guest House and Retreat Center. The retreats are open to young adults ages 18-35. www.saintmeinrad.org/news?story=1...

There is something about research papers that brings out the most irrational and pervasive logismoi.

I don't know how many times I've referenced, alluded to, or straight-up quoted from this text. Every time monastic communities play this out concerning "tradition" and "monastic culture", I want to throw this book at them. Of course, with the superior's permission.

The Benedictine monk at the feet of Christ is believed to be the Ebersberg abbot Reginbald who commissioned the ms & became abbot of Lorsch & later the bishop of Speyer. München, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, BSB Clm 7355; Eberhard-Psalter; 11th c; Bavaria; f.6r

May your Advent be one of joyful hope and diligent preparation for the coming of the Lord. #advent

A flower marks the beginning of Torah portion Vayishlach (וַיִּשְׁלַח) in which Jacob and Esau meet again, embrace, then go their separate ways. #ParashahPictures BnF Hébreu 29; Bible; 15th century; f.32v @gallicabnf.bsky.social