The Oblates will be offered a Lenten Day of Recollection here at Portsmouth on Sunday, March 9, the First Sunday of Lent. In addition to Mass, the Midday Office, and Divine Adoration, attendees will hear a presentation by John Paul Devaney, graduating this spring from the School, on his experience of vocation.

We present two homilies to consider as Lent approaches this week. Abbot Michael’s 2024 Ash Wednesday homily speaks of spiritual “recycling.” And Abbot Matthew Stark offered for the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time a direct message anticipating Lent, rooted in the Beatitudes and addressing our responsibility to help the poor.

We continue our series on “Places of the Abbey” with an acknowledgement of one of the visual “signature” sites on the grounds, the Gazebo designed by 19th century architect, Richard Upjohn.