Eighteen friars participated in the monthly day of recollection for the Eastern Region on December 19. Traditionally, St. Cloud Monastery has hosted this pre-Christmas get together. The topic of discussion for the day was “The Community Praying and Penitent” from Las Constituciones fuente viva. The discussion was shortened, however, so that there would be more time for convivencia in the spirit of Christmas. Evening Prayer with Benediction preceded the singing of Christmas carols, made more festive by the beautiful decorations which always grace the Provincial House. The carolers worked up quite an appetite and so were more than ready for the delicious Italian dinner that was served buffet style. Dinner also included the celebration of the birthdays of Frs. Francis Moriones (December 3) and Frank Wilder (December 20). The evening continued with much reminiscing around the table about monastic times past in Marcilla, Kansas City, and Suffern. Finally Christmas stockings were plucked from the tree for each of the friars before it was time for the journey home.

Fr. John Gruben, OAR