The writing & works of

Fr. Ambrose Criste, O.Praem.

Day Five | The Great Fast

People fast for all kinds of worldly reasons -- health or beauty or athletic pursuits. But true fasting has a more important end in view: God Himself.

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Day Four | The Great Fast

Do you remember when you heard your Lord's call to follow Him? He continues to call.

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Day Three | The Great Fast

The Fridays of Lent give us the opportunity to reflect on the Lord's Passion. They are "practice," in a sense, for Good Friday, and an opportunity for grace.

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Day Two | The Great Fast

Our task now is to settle into a regular pace of daily fasting, and to "hit our stride" in our attempts to take up our Cross.

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Intro | The Great Fast

Fr. Ambrose guides us through how to participate in "The Great Fast," our program for Lent.

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An Advent Retreat

It's not Christmas yet! Fr. Ambrose and Fr. Hugh discuss a few things you can do to make the most of the final days of Advent.

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Secularism is Anything but Secular: A Conversation with Dr. Aaron Kheriaty

Fr. Ambrose and Dr. Aaron Kheriaty confront the philosophical, social, and spiritual (yes, really!) tenets of secularism.

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Abbeys and Organs

In just a few weeks, we will celebrate the arrival, tuning, and voicing of our new organ with our inaugural organ concert played by the great Paul Jacobs, American organist and chair of the Organ Department at the Juilliard School. Join Fr. Ambrose Criste and Fr. Jerome Molokie for a conversation earlier this year about organs and their place in liturgical life.

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Feasting with the Whole Church this Hallowtide

For all secular culture's efforts, Halloween remains a holy feast, and a great opportunity to celebrate as only Catholics can … and should!

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What's New at the Abbey?

In the shadow of the recent Michaelmas celebration, Fathers Frederick, Ambrose, and Peter Adrian take a moment to reflect on the festivities, a growing community, what they have been witnessing in their day-to-day tasks, and the exciting happenings at the abbey.

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Key Five: Wisdom

Wisdom is the knowledge that comes through loving union. We become wise, able to judge spiritual things and the highest things in relation to our life and other people, because of our union with God. The wise person is never overcome with fear.

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The Chapel of St. John the Baptist

The art in a church is much like the art in our homes: it tells a unique, personal story and helps us feel an affection for the space around us.

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The Power of Feasting!

Catholics love a good party - and for good reason. Regular feasts provide needed foil to our fasting, lift our spirits for spiritual causes, and give us a foretaste of the community, celebration, and joy that is promised to us in heaven.

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