Mar 1 - Apostolic Abstinence
To mark the beginning of Lent we suspended our reading of Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard by Mawi Asgedom in order to read a sermon by Blessed John Henry Newman titled “Apostolic Abstinence A Pattern for Christians.”
from Rule of St. Benedict : Chapter 38. The Reader for the Week
Reading will always accompany the meals of the brothers.
Current Reading
Newman, John Henry. Parochial and Plain Sermons. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997.
Previous Reading
Asgedom, Mawi. Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 2002.
Recent Articles
By Category
Around the Abbey
- No Guests Till At Least July 1
- Garden
- Abbey Church Reorganized
- Pine Caskets Donated to COVID-19 Victims
- Health Precautions Introduced at New Melleray
- Mid-Winter Spring Cleaning For the Birds
- Abbot Richard Purcell Visits from our Mother House
- Commission of the Future Meets January 29
- Brother Tobias Dies February 2
- Trappist Caskets Memorial Book
- Seventy Five Year Old Pine and Spruce Tree Line Removed
- Christmas Schedule
- Monastery Friend and Benefactor Laid to Rest
- Half a Century of Monastery Seasons
- Abbot Mark Visits Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
- Deer Hunting and The Reasons Why
- Generous Donation to Child Casket Fund
- Trappist Caskets Introduces Urn Campaign
- Monks Goats and Land Stewardship
- New Melleray's DVD God Alone Broadcast on CFN
- Abbot Mark to Attend Transfer of Assumption Monastery
- New Melleray Celebrates Our 170th Anniversary
- Monks Host Lumen Christi Retreat Immersion Experience
- Catholic Blogger Leah Libresco Visits New Melleray
- A Page From Our Forestry Files
- New Melleray Contemplative Experience - 2019
- Casket Donations On the Rise
- New Melleray Abbey hires a full time Forester
- Marjorie Lehmann Appointed Director of Administration
- Monks Receive Appreciative Letters From Grieving Families
- Monks Host Students from University of Dubuque
- The monks of New Melleray celebrate the Lord's birth
- Ten Thousand Dollars Donated to the Child Casket Fund
- Monks Host Employee Christmas Party
- Lumen Christi Institute Retreat Experience at New Melleray
- Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria
- Photo Journalist Prepares Article on New Melleray Abbey
- Commission of the Future to be Assisted by Dr Patricia Kelly
- Abbot Mark Scott to Visit the Phillipines
- Aug 6 - 2018 Contemplative Experience
- Aug 4 - Back in Black
- July 31 - Authentic Monastic Service
- July Information Forum
- July 14 - The Man in Black
- July 13 - Struggles and Conversions
- 2018 Contemplative Experience - Aug 6 to 18
- June 8 - Come Away Participants
- June 2 - Brother Walter Schoenberg
- May 27 - An Evening of Classical Guitar Music
- May 27 - Novice Directors
- May 26 - Dom Richard Purcell
- May Information Forum
- May 18 - 2018 Visitation Conversation
- May 9 - Brother Placid Zilka
- Apr 13 - Revitalization
- Apr 10 - Dollars and Cents
- March Information Forum
- Mar 11 - On Conversion
- Mar 9 - Acceptance of the Strategic Plan
- Mar 7 - Built of Living Stones
- Feb 28 - Dom Peter McCarthy
- February Information Forum
- 2018 Lenten Observances
- Feb 9 - Culture of Vocations
- Jan 29 - A Postulant Present
- January Information Forum
- Jan 14 - Notre Dame Folk Choir Retreat and Concert
- Jan 12 - Responding to Strategic Planning
- Jan 9 - Trappists Caskets Corp and Board of Directors Meetings
- December Information Forum
- Dec 14 - Strategic Planning - Strategies and Initiatives
- Nov 30 - Strategic Planning - The Issues
- November Information Forum
- Nov 23 - The Polish Church
- Nov 21 - Compline Open Forum
- Nov 13 - Mystics and Music
- Nov 10 - A Conversation of Theological Interpretations
- Nov 8 - Vocation Awareness Week
- Nov 6 - Dubuque County Right to Life
- Oct 26 - Focus on Strategic Planning
- Oct 16 - Who Are These Wearing White
- Oct 15 - A New Prior
- Oct 13 - Six Challenges
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance - Pictures
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance Details
- Oct 6 - A Strong Driving Wind
- Oct 6 - Come Away Participants
- September Information Forum
- Sept 27 - Fan-tastic
- Sept 15 - Monastic Fast
- Sept 14 - Cowls and Cloaks
- Sept 8 - Celebration of the Liturgy
- Sept 8 - Organ-ic Charity
- Sept 6 - OCSO General Chapter
- Sept 4 - Laboring on Labor Day
- August 24 - August Information Forum
- August 23 - Arriving at Amen
- August 18 - Conversation about Silence
- July 27 - July Information Forum
- July 25 - Strategic Planning Process Kickoff
- July 16 - Remembering Fr Neil
- July 14 - Strategic Planning Priorities
- July 6 - Father Neil Paquette
- June 28 - Hidden Fruitfulness Shared
- June 9 - Come Away Guests
- May 22 - The Juniors Are Here
- May 12 - A Clear Indication Conversation
- May 10 - Full of Hot Air
- April Information Forum
- April 23 - Remembering Brother Kevin
- April 21 - Filiation Conversation
- March 31 - Brother M Kevin Knox
- March Information Forum
- 2017 Lenten Observances
- February Information Forum
- Feb 21 - By the Labor of Their Hands
- Feb 12 - Themes Limit Me
- Feb 10 - Formation Conversation
- Feb 6 - Let Us Build Ourselves a Tower
- Jan 27 - The Last Lecture of Fr Michael Himes
- January Information Forum
- Jan 26 - Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux
- Jan 17 - An Evening with the Archbishop
- Jan 15 - Blessing of Icons
- Jan 13 - Contemplation and Evangelization
- Jan 10 - Trappist Caskets Corporation Member and Board Meetings
- Dec 25 - Christmas Celebrations
- December Information Forum
- Dec 12 - An Introduction to Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Nov 30 - Christians in Culture
- Nov 28 - Homelessness in the Dubuque Area
- November Information Forum
- Nov 11 - Martyrdom
- October Information Forum
- Oct 27 - Reflections on Contemporary Culture
- Oct 17 - Brexit
- Oct 10 - Vatican II and the House Report
- Oct 7 - Come Away Weekend
- Oct 1 - Young Adult Luncheon and Discussion
- Sept 30 - Visiting Divine Word Missionary
- Sept 26 - Closing of the Regular Visitation
- Sept 22 - Mercy and the Cross
- September Information Forum
- Sept 19 - Regular Visitation
- Sept 9 - Conversation Groups - The Regular Visitation
- Sept 4 - In Pursuit of Silence
- Aug 25 - Lux Aurumque
- August Information Forum
- Aug 25 - New Windows
- Aug 12 - Community Meals
- July 28 - Information Forum
- July 27 - The New Monasticism
- July 20 - Brisit
- July 16 - Solemnity of Church Dedication and Foundation
- July 8 - To Shelter the Homeless
- Band of Infidels
- Shane Claiborne
- June Information Forum
- Cowls Off
- First Things Essays
- Homilies - Chapter Talks - A Word to Our Employee Stakeholders
- Holidays and Holy Days
- New Wine for New Wineskins
- Come and See Weekend
- Information Forum
- In Thanksgiving and Love
- A Visitor from Ava
- Meet Millenials
- Visitation of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
Formation
- Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
- Guest Lecturer Father Mark O Keefe
- Guest Lecturer on Science and Faith
- Two Monks Attend Cistercian Colloquium in Dallas
- Monks Host Fr Steve Avella for Lectures
- Monks Host Dr Brian Patrick McGuire
- New Melleray Monks Make Annual Retreat
- Spiritual Conferences by Fr John Markey
- Leadership Workshop at New Melleray Abbey
- Mar 9 - Emmanuel Levinas
- Oct 17 - Keep Awake
- August 17 - In My Opinion
- June 13 - Dr David Brakke and Early Monasticism
- March 31 - Bernard Lonergan in English
- Oct 29 - American Understanding of Nazism - A Sense of Belonging
- July 28 - A Certain Wonderful Miracle
- July 5 - The Mis-Measure of Man
- July 3 - St John Monastic Institute 2016
- Islamaphobia
- Juniorate and Summer Studies
Liturgy
- Mass of Remembrance 2019
- Monks Celebrate the Sacred Triduum
- Monks Celebrate the Solemnity of our Holy Founders
- New Advent Chants Introduced December 2
- Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday
- Feb 2 - Feast of the Presentation
- Dec 3 - Stoles
- Dec 2 - Compline Revised
- Nov 2 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - photos
- April 9 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
- Feb 2 - Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas
- Jan 18 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Nov 17 - Mass of Remembrance
- Nov 2 - All Souls Commemoration
- Sept 25 - Little Office Experiment
- Sept 4 - Changing Practices in the Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Aug 23 - A New Organist
- Corpus Christi Procession and Adoration
- Swan Song
Refectory Book
- The Warmth of Other Suns in Our Refectory
- Love Awakened by Love - Refectory Book
- Refectory Book Wright Brothers
- Current Refectory Book- The Noonday Devil
- Voices From the Cloister - New Melleray's Recent History
- The Shattering of loneliness
- Arms and the Monk - Our Current Refectory Book
- Aug 5 - Breaking the Power of Silence
- July 10 - The Power of Silence
- June 16 - Why I Am Catholic
- May 19 - Reading Paul
- Apr 13 - Desert Father
- Apr 8 - Vultum Dei Quaerere
- Mar 30 - The Rainbow of Sorrow
- Feb 24 - Mertons Abbot
- Feb 14 - Guerric of Igny
- Feb 1 - The Spirituality of St Paul
- Jan 29 - Aspects of Formation
- Jan 4 - Dante
- Dec 31 - Evangelizing the Nones
- Nov 16 - The Benedict Option
- Sept 25 - Reclaiming Humility
- August 31 - Martin Luther
- August 19 - Vocation Ministry With Vitality
- June 26 - The Road to Character
- May 24 - Flowers in the Desert
- May 2 - When Breath Becomes Air
- April 14 - Reflections and Sermon
- Mar 10 - Exodus-The Book of Redemption
- Mar 4 - Youth Culture As A Challenge
- Mar 1 - Apostolic Abstinence
- Feb 17 - Of Beetles and Angels
- Jan 13 - Aristotles -neglected- Children
- Dec 30 - World Day of Prayer for Peace
- Dec 21 - Aristotles Children
- Nov 15 - Monastic Sermons
- Sept 18 - God or Nothing
- Aug 5 - Church of Spies
- July 5 - St Bernard Three Course Banquet
Schedule
- 4th Sunday Adoration for Vocations
- Weekly - Tuesday - Rosary for Vocations
- July 31 - No Rosary for Vocations Tonight
- Aug 31 - Come Away
- July 16 - Foundation and Dedication
- 2018 Holy Week Liturgies
- Jan 12 - Early Vespers
- Jan 7 - Early Adoration and Vespers with Private Compline
- 2017 Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Mass and Liturgy Schedule Changes for Thursday Oct 12
- October 12 - Trappist Caskets Memorial Mass
- Holy Week Liturgies
- ASH WEDNESDAY - Distribution of Ashes
- Jan 8 - Early Vespers and Private Compline
- Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Sacrament of Reconciliation Times
- 4th of July Holiday
By Month
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
- Health Precautions Introduced at New Melleray
- Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
- Mid-Winter Spring Cleaning For the Birds
February 2020
- Abbot Richard Purcell Visits from our Mother House
- Commission of the Future Meets January 29
- Brother Tobias Dies February 2
January 2020
- Trappist Caskets Memorial Book
- The Warmth of Other Suns in Our Refectory
- Seventy Five Year Old Pine and Spruce Tree Line Removed
December 2019
November 2019
- Guest Lecturer Father Mark O Keefe
- Abbot Mark Visits Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
- Love Awakened by Love - Refectory Book
October 2019
September 2019
- Mass of Remembrance 2019
- Generous Donation to Child Casket Fund
- Trappist Caskets Introduces Urn Campaign
- Guest Lecturer on Science and Faith
August 2019
- Monks Goats and Land Stewardship
- New Melleray's DVD God Alone Broadcast on CFN
- Abbot Mark to Attend Transfer of Assumption Monastery
July 2019
- Two Monks Attend Cistercian Colloquium in Dallas
- New Melleray Celebrates Our 170th Anniversary
- Current Refectory Book- The Noonday Devil
June 2019
- Monks Host Lumen Christi Retreat Immersion Experience
- Catholic Blogger Leah Libresco Visits New Melleray
- Voices From the Cloister - New Melleray's Recent History
May 2019
- A Page From Our Forestry Files
- Monks Host Fr Steve Avella for Lectures
- The Shattering of loneliness
- Monks Host Dr Brian Patrick McGuire
April 2019
- New Melleray Contemplative Experience - 2019
- Monks Celebrate the Sacred Triduum
- Casket Donations On the Rise
March 2019
February 2019
- New Melleray Abbey hires a full time Forester
- Marjorie Lehmann Appointed Director of Administration
- Monks Receive Appreciative Letters From Grieving Families
January 2019
December 2018
- The monks of New Melleray celebrate the Lord's birth
- Ten Thousand Dollars Donated to the Child Casket Fund
- Monks Host Employee Christmas Party
November 2018
- New Advent Chants Introduced December 2
- Lumen Christi Institute Retreat Experience at New Melleray
- Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria
- Photo Journalist Prepares Article on New Melleray Abbey
October 2018
- Spiritual Conferences by Fr John Markey
- Commission of the Future to be Assisted by Dr Patricia Kelly
- Abbot Mark Scott to Visit the Phillipines
- Leadership Workshop at New Melleray Abbey
August 2018
- 4th Sunday Adoration for Vocations
- Weekly - Tuesday - Rosary for Vocations
- Aug 6 - 2018 Contemplative Experience
- Aug 5 - Breaking the Power of Silence
- Aug 4 - Back in Black
July 2018
- July 31 - Authentic Monastic Service
- July 31 - No Rosary for Vocations Tonight
- July Information Forum
- Aug 31 - Come Away
- July 16 - Foundation and Dedication
- July 14 - The Man in Black
- July 13 - Struggles and Conversions
- July 10 - The Power of Silence
June 2018
- 2018 Contemplative Experience - Aug 6 to 18
- June 16 - Why I Am Catholic
- June 8 - Come Away Participants
- June 2 - Brother Walter Schoenberg
May 2018
- May 27 - An Evening of Classical Guitar Music
- May 27 - Novice Directors
- May 26 - Dom Richard Purcell
- May Information Forum
- May 19 - Reading Paul
- May 18 - 2018 Visitation Conversation
- May 9 - Brother Placid Zilka
April 2018
- Apr 13 - Desert Father
- Apr 13 - Revitalization
- Apr 10 - Dollars and Cents
- Apr 8 - Vultum Dei Quaerere
March 2018
- Mar 30 - The Rainbow of Sorrow
- March Information Forum
- 2018 Holy Week Liturgies
- Mar 11 - On Conversion
- Mar 9 - Acceptance of the Strategic Plan
- Mar 9 - Emmanuel Levinas
- Mar 7 - Built of Living Stones
February 2018
- Feb 28 - Dom Peter McCarthy
- Feb 24 - Mertons Abbot
- February Information Forum
- Feb 14 - Guerric of Igny
- 2018 Lenten Observances
- Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday
- Feb 9 - Culture of Vocations
- Feb 2 - Feast of the Presentation
- Feb 1 - The Spirituality of St Paul
January 2018
- Jan 29 - A Postulant Present
- Jan 29 - Aspects of Formation
- January Information Forum
- Jan 14 - Notre Dame Folk Choir Retreat and Concert
- Jan 12 - Responding to Strategic Planning
- Jan 12 - Early Vespers
- Jan 9 - Trappists Caskets Corp and Board of Directors Meetings
- Jan 7 - Early Adoration and Vespers with Private Compline
- Jan 4 - Dante
December 2017
- Dec 31 - Evangelizing the Nones
- December Information Forum
- 2017 Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Dec 14 - Strategic Planning - Strategies and Initiatives
- Dec 3 - Stoles
- Dec 2 - Compline Revised
November 2017
- Nov 30 - Strategic Planning - The Issues
- November Information Forum
- Nov 23 - The Polish Church
- Nov 21 - Compline Open Forum
- Nov 16 - The Benedict Option
- Nov 13 - Mystics and Music
- Nov 10 - A Conversation of Theological Interpretations
- Nov 8 - Vocation Awareness Week
- Nov 6 - Dubuque County Right to Life
- Nov 2 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - photos
October 2017
- Oct 26 - Focus on Strategic Planning
- Oct 17 - Keep Awake
- Oct 16 - Who Are These Wearing White
- Oct 15 - A New Prior
- Oct 13 - Six Challenges
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance - Pictures
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance Details
- Mass and Liturgy Schedule Changes for Thursday Oct 12
- Oct 6 - A Strong Driving Wind
- Oct 6 - Come Away Participants
September 2017
- September Information Forum
- Sept 27 - Fan-tastic
- Sept 25 - Reclaiming Humility
- October 12 - Trappist Caskets Memorial Mass
- Sept 15 - Monastic Fast
- Sept 14 - Cowls and Cloaks
- Sept 8 - Celebration of the Liturgy
- Sept 8 - Organ-ic Charity
- Sept 6 - OCSO General Chapter
- Sept 4 - Laboring on Labor Day
August 2017
- August 31 - Martin Luther
- August 24 - August Information Forum
- August 23 - Arriving at Amen
- August 19 - Vocation Ministry With Vitality
- August 18 - Conversation about Silence
- August 17 - In My Opinion
July 2017
- July 27 - July Information Forum
- July 25 - Strategic Planning Process Kickoff
- July 16 - Remembering Fr Neil
- July 14 - Strategic Planning Priorities
- July 6 - Father Neil Paquette
June 2017
- June 28 - Hidden Fruitfulness Shared
- June 26 - The Road to Character
- June 13 - Dr David Brakke and Early Monasticism
- June 9 - Come Away Guests
May 2017
- May 24 - Flowers in the Desert
- May 22 - The Juniors Are Here
- May 12 - A Clear Indication Conversation
- May 10 - Full of Hot Air
- May 2 - When Breath Becomes Air
April 2017
- April Information Forum
- April 23 - Remembering Brother Kevin
- April 21 - Filiation Conversation
- April 14 - Reflections and Sermon
- April 9 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
- Holy Week Liturgies
March 2017
- March 31 - Brother M Kevin Knox
- March 31 - Bernard Lonergan in English
- March Information Forum
- Mar 10 - Exodus-The Book of Redemption
- Mar 4 - Youth Culture As A Challenge
- Mar 1 - Apostolic Abstinence
- 2017 Lenten Observances
February 2017
- ASH WEDNESDAY - Distribution of Ashes
- February Information Forum
- Feb 21 - By the Labor of Their Hands
- Feb 17 - Of Beetles and Angels
- Feb 12 - Themes Limit Me
- Feb 10 - Formation Conversation
- Feb 6 - Let Us Build Ourselves a Tower
- Feb 2 - Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas
January 2017
- Jan 27 - The Last Lecture of Fr Michael Himes
- January Information Forum
- Jan 26 - Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux
- Jan 18 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Jan 17 - An Evening with the Archbishop
- Jan 15 - Blessing of Icons
- Jan 13 - Contemplation and Evangelization
- Jan 13 - Aristotles -neglected- Children
- Jan 10 - Trappist Caskets Corporation Member and Board Meetings
- Jan 8 - Early Vespers and Private Compline
December 2016
- Dec 30 - World Day of Prayer for Peace
- Dec 25 - Christmas Celebrations
- December Information Forum
- Dec 21 - Aristotles Children
- Dec 12 - An Introduction to Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Christmas Liturgy Schedule
November 2016
- Nov 30 - Christians in Culture
- Nov 28 - Homelessness in the Dubuque Area
- November Information Forum
- Nov 17 - Mass of Remembrance
- Nov 15 - Monastic Sermons
- Nov 11 - Martyrdom
- Nov 2 - All Souls Commemoration
October 2016
- Oct 29 - American Understanding of Nazism - A Sense of Belonging
- October Information Forum
- Oct 27 - Reflections on Contemporary Culture
- Oct 17 - Brexit
- Oct 10 - Vatican II and the House Report
- Oct 7 - Come Away Weekend
- Oct 1 - Young Adult Luncheon and Discussion
September 2016
- Sept 30 - Visiting Divine Word Missionary
- Sept 26 - Closing of the Regular Visitation
- Sept 25 - Little Office Experiment
- Sept 22 - Mercy and the Cross
- September Information Forum
- Sept 19 - Regular Visitation
- Sept 18 - God or Nothing
- Sept 9 - Conversation Groups - The Regular Visitation
- Sept 4 - In Pursuit of Silence
- Sept 4 - Changing Practices in the Liturgy of the Eucharist
August 2016
- Aug 25 - Lux Aurumque
- August Information Forum
- Aug 25 - New Windows
- Aug 23 - A New Organist
- Aug 12 - Community Meals
- Sacrament of Reconciliation Times
- Aug 5 - Church of Spies
July 2016
- July 28 - A Certain Wonderful Miracle
- July 28 - Information Forum
- July 27 - The New Monasticism
- July 20 - Brisit
- July 16 - Solemnity of Church Dedication and Foundation
- July 8 - To Shelter the Homeless
- July 5 - The Mis-Measure of Man
- July 5 - St Bernard Three Course Banquet
- July 3 - St John Monastic Institute 2016
- 4th of July Holiday
June 2016
- Band of Infidels
- Shane Claiborne
- June Information Forum
- Cowls Off
- Islamaphobia
- First Things Essays
- Homilies - Chapter Talks - A Word to Our Employee Stakeholders
- Holidays and Holy Days
May 2016