Dear monks, artists, and pilgrims, During this Jubilee year of sabbatical we are revisiting our Monk Manifesto by moving slowly through the Monk in the World retreat materials together every Sunday. Each week will offer new reflections on the theme and every six weeks will introduce a new principle. Principle 6: I commit to rhythms of rest and renewal through the regular practice of Sabbath and resist a culture of busyness that measures my worth by what I do. Exodus 20:1-11 The Ten Commandments Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house

I am really delighted to have four poems published at the online journal impspired! You can read them at this link  – “Wittgenstein in Connemara,” “Love Letter,” “Nocturne,” and “Poetry on Four Paws.” The editor also let me know that the last time they published my poems back in August, it was the most read page on their website and I am the second most read author on their site since starting. What all that means is I have an amazing and wonderfully supportive community of readers which is all a writer can dream of. A deep bow of gratitude to

In April 2020 Christine Valters Paintner’s book Earth, Our Original Monastery is being published by Ave Maria Press. The book explores concepts like earth as the original cathedral, scripture, saints, spiritual directors, liturgy, icon, and sacrament through wisdom of the Christian mystics and the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Like most of Christine’s books there is a rich array of experiential exercises (both contemplative and creative) included in each chapter that lends itself well to a retreat experience. We have a companion album of songs being released shortly as well and we are in the process of creating a cycle of

We are so delighted that Richard Bruxvoort Colligan and Simon de Voil, two sacred musicians we work with extensively at Abbey of the Arts, are collaborating together and offering a livestream event next Wednesday (January 22nd). You can sign up below. They are both such soulful musicians as well as gorgeous presences bringing beauty into the world. We have a new album being released very soon to accompany Christine’s book *Earth, Our Original Monastery* (available to pre-order) and both Richard and Simon have songs featured on it! They each are a part of the Patreon platform, so you can support

Mercy by the Sea retreat center has shared an excerpt from the introduction of Christine Valters Paintner’s forthcoming book Earth, Our Original Monastery: Cultivating Wonder and Gratitude through Intimacy with Nature: Everything in creation becomes a catalyst for my deepened self-understanding. The forest asks me to embrace my truth once again. The hummingbird invites me to sip holy nectar, the egret to stretch out my wings, the sparrows to remember my flock. Each pine cone contains an epiphany; each smooth stone offers a revelation. I watch and witness as the sun slowly makes her long arc across the sky and

(From the Abbey Archives – by Christine Valters Paintner) The story of Epiphany is one of my favorite scripture stories as it offers us a series of powerful invitations. The last few lines of the gospel text, offer a template for an archetypal journey, that is, one we are all invited to make. We can find ourselves in the text if we have ever longed to follow an inkling into the long night knowing there were gifts awaiting us. 1. Follow the star to where it leads The story begins with the magi calling upon the grace of night vision. 

Let mystery have its place in you; do not be always turning up your whole soil with the plowshare of self-examination, but leave a little fallow corner in your heart ready for any seed the winds may bring, and reserve a nook of shadow for the passing bird; keep a place in your heart for the unexpected guests, an altar for an unknown God.  —Henri-Frederic Amiel   Dearest monks, artists, and pilgrims,   Who doesn’t love the promise of new beginning the New Year offers? St. Benedict described his Rule as a Rule for beginners, reminding us to always begin