This Lent has been a good time to reflect on the past year here at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit. We can find many reasons to rejoice.
Just before Lent 2018, on February 9, our Br. Nathanael Felarca made his solemn profession. Then, two months later, on April 9, which was the Feast of the Annunciation transferred because of Holy Week, our Br. Emilio Rafael Garcia-Dolon made his solemn profession. Again, two months later, on June 16, the Feast of our Cistercian saint Lutgard, our Br. Philip Wodzinski made his solemn profession. Having three solemn professions in such a short time was indeed a cause of joy.
Then, on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, our Brs. Peter Damian Spera and Cassian Russell were ordained deacons by Bishop Bernard Shlesinger. They have been serving as deacons during Mass each day since then. 
This year began with another important celebration. On March 21, 2019, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the foundation of our monastery. On that date in 1944, 21 monks arrived from our mother house, Gethsemani Abbey, in Kentucky. Our celebrations for this jubilee will continue throughout the rest of the year. Please watch for more news about our foundation in the months to come.
As part of our celebration, we are looking forward to the ordinations to the priesthood of the Rev. Brs. Peter Damian and Cassian on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 28, 2019.
This is, for us, a year of many blessings and graces.