Ever Ancient, Ever New Some things in life are ancient and new at the same time.  Imagine something that has been in existence for over nine hundred years? Half Dome at Yosemite, the Tower of Hercules in Spain, built by the Romans, and completed around the first century. The Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico is extremely old. Acoma is "one of the oldest continuously occupied communities in what is now the United States." It's estimated it was founded as early as 1100 A.D., although local oral history says people have lived there "forever." This is reflected in its name — [...]

The gifts have been opened, the Christmas carols have been sung, and we just celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.. This is a time for new beginnings, new experiences, and new opportunities. We begin a new year, with new beginnings. new opportunities, new experiences, there are many options to explore and even perhaps start a new beginning, a new path, a new journey. There are many paths to choose. On Sunday, January 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, when the Scriptures tell the story of kings visiting Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus. The Collect [...]

On Sunday, November 27th, the first Sunday of Advent, we began a new liturgical year. And like all new year celebrations, Advent is a time for new beginnings and new opportunities.  Some differences between Advent and other liturgical seasons were quickly noticeable. The presiders at the Sunday Masses were wearing purple vestments, except on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, when they will wear rose colored vestments. The change in vestments for the third Sunday of Advent symbolizes that Gaudete Sunday is a time of joy as we near the great celebration of the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus [...]

On December 8th, we celebrate an important feast of the Catholic Church, so important that we call it a solemnity:  The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854 and refers to the fact that Mary was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception. Immaculate means pure, without stain, and illustrates that Mary was without sin from the very moment she was conceived. Although there is no Biblical support for this doctrine we remember and celebrate this reality each time we pray the Hail Mary, “Hail Mary, [...]

On Friday 18 November, Daylesford Abbey celebrated its 54th Annual Dinner Dance Gala & Auction, where 120 guests gathered at Aronimink Golf Club in Chester County, PA to support Daylesford Abbey. The successful evening raised over $48,000 to support Daylesford Abbey. The Gala celebration began with cocktails while guests perused an incredible array of auction items including priceless experiences like dinner with Abbot Domenic, Eagle tickets, artwork, get-away vacations and so much more!  Bidding started the week prior and there was fierce competition among in-person guests and people bidding remotely. After the cocktail hour, guests dined on a sumptuous meal [...]

Sunday November 27 is the first Sunday of Advent, a time of preparation for Catholics and Christians.  It is the start of the new liturgical year. Advent is a time of waiting in anticipation for the birth of the Lord, putting up Christmas decorations and preparing for the great reveal on Christmas Day, when gifts will be opened. The word Advent originates from a Latin word “Adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas are focused on preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ in all ways, from His birth in the past to [...]

The Thanksgiving and the Christmas seasons are fast approaching. This is a time for putting up Christmas decorations, gathering with family and friends, singing Christmas carols, sharing a wonderful meal, giving, and receiving gifts, sharing stories of past holidays and relatives and friends who may not be with us this holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time for sharing. It has been a difficult few years dealing with the Covid pandemic, and for the people in Ukraine, constant gunfire, missiles, destruction, and death.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are also a time for sharing. This is a time to gather and remember, [...]

Many of us receive a variety of invitations, including invitations for birthdays or anniversaries. Sometimes the invitation is for a holiday party such as New Year’s Eve, or to a graduation or a wedding. Invitations come in different forms. Sometimes the invitation is by phone, sometimes by email. Other invitations might come by postal mail, such as a birthday or graduation invitation, or a wedding invitation. Invitations can be simple in format, or sometimes, as for a wedding, they are larger, with embossed print and sometimes a photo too. An invitation might come in prayer, at Mass, in conversation with a [...]

Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA was founded and is staffed by Norbertine priests. St. Norbert founded the Norbertines.  He is just one of many saints of the Norbertine Order. Norbert of Xanten was born to noble parents around the year 1080 in Xanten (northern Rhineland). Already as a small child he was presented to the collegiate church of St. Victor in Xanten where he was later ordained subdeacon. He was later called into service by Emperor Henry, and in addition to serving the emperor he led a worldly lifestyle. In the year 1115, Norbert was thrown from his horse and nearly [...]

The Annual Daylesford Abbey Dinner Dance and Auction is just a few weeks away.  And there’s just one week left to RSVP.   Join us for the 54th Annual Gala on 18 November 2022 on November 18th at Aronimink Golf Club, This year’s gala celebration is better than ever!  We have some of the most amazing auction items yet. From exclusive experiences like Dinner with the Norbertines to golf packages; from Sixers Tickets to luxury items, you will be amazed at the items that have been donated for our gala.  Click here to check out the auction preview. The Annual Dinner [...]