When the cold New England snow finally melted, it was time to check on our bees! The beekeeping Sisters were delighted to find the hives had weathered the hard winter well. This week, we split a few of our thriving hives here on the property. It was a perfect day for bee work—and for photography! Thanks to the generous wish list donors who have provided crucial supplies, and to the guidance of knowledgeable friends nearby, our hives are buzzing with activity! Last year, we enjoyed our first honey harvest. It was sticky work, but a sweet success! There was even enough to bottle and sell at our annual Christmas Fair. We’ve already had people asking for more of our monastery honey!

Palm Sunday is one of the most significant feasts in the Catholic year. It commemorates Christ the King’s triumphal procession into Jerusalem, just five days before His betrayal and condemnation by the same crowds who had proclaimed Him King. The jubilant cries of “Hosanna to the Son of David” soon turned to “Crucify Him!” 

The blessing of palms asks God to “bless these branches and grant that what Thy people today bodily perform for Thy honor, they may perfect spiritually.” Blessed palms are kept in homes as sacramentals, and sometimes, are buried at the corners of a property with prayers for safety. Farmers would place pieces of the palms in buildings and fields for protection.

The monastery makes a palm bouquet before Palm Sunday by weaving the palms into five roses for Christ’s wounds, a cross, and woven palm decorations. The bouquet is carried in procession by the celebrant, then kept in the sacristy until the following Lent, when it is burned for Ash Wednesday ashes.

Watch the Sisters’ video made a few years ago on How to Make a Palm Cross.

Liturgically, the new year for Catholics begins with the coming of Advent—a time of joyful expectation and spiritual preparation. At the monastery, the Advent and Christmas seasons are marked by a wonderful blend of activity, anticipation, prayer, and work. The elementary grades bring a special delight to these days, as Christmas truly shines as a season for children. Their visit with Saint Nicholas, festive class parties, and the much-anticipated school pageant fill the halls with laughter and excitement. The annual decorating of the Chapels for Christmas is also a treasured tradition, made possible by the generosity of those who donate the greenery that transforms these holy places in preparation for the coming of Christ. Christmas brings its own cherished days and customs, followed by the New Year—a time for fresh beginnings and renewed hope. Enjoy this selection of photos capturing the joyful close of 2025 and the promising start of 2026.