Many young men think about a call Catholic Priesthood. But, they do not respond or pursue it. If you know someone who maybe considering giving their life fully to God and His Church, please support them. It is difficult to choose a path that is contrary to what our modern world teaches and encourages.

If you know someone who is interested in life as a priest or religious, we would be more than happy to host them for a visit. They do not need to be considering a vocation with us. Every year we have seminarians come and stay with us. We enjoy having them as guests and give them encouragement in their call.

Many young men think about visiting Europe during a summer break. But, it is expensive. If you know someone, please let them know we are here for them. They are more than welcome to stay with us while they visit Vienna and the surrounding areas. We provide a safe and comfortable place to stay. Every guest is treated as a member of our family.

Any Catholic male, who is thinking about the priesthood, is welcome to come stay with us. Our members come from various backgrounds and many nations. Many have served as secular priests before joining our community. We would welcome the opportunity to host them.

Good news!  The Gnomes have arrived!  The customs issues have seemed to have been solved.  My Gnomes are now in their new home.  All ten of my boxes have arrived.  It is amazing how beat up they got in shipment.  They started out in pristine condition and arrived in a battered and worn appearance.  Their contents seem to have survived.  I guess international shipping is like life.  Through our travels the exterior may get a bit beat up, but it is the condition of the interior that is important.

Each day here starts early.  The normal time to rise is about 5 am.  At about 5:45 the bell for Choir rings.  We have The Office of Readings, Lauds (morning prayer), and Mass.  This is over a little after 7.  We then go to breakfast.  These three events feed the body for the day that lays ahead of us.  The Office of Readings feeds our minds, Mass feeds our soul, and breakfast feeds our body.  All our essential, all are pointless unless Christ is the purpose of our lives.

There are 5 novices this year.  One is from Germany, one from Austria, one from Poland and 2 for the USA.  It is a good group.  I enjoy each one of them.  We seem to get along, which is a good thing.  Today, we are leaving for our retreat.  We are going to Stift Vorau.  It is out in the wilderness somewhere and supposed to be quite pretty.  This retreat is to prepare us for our clothing and help to get to know each other.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers and I hope thought you will do the same for me.  Due to the retreat, I will not have access to email or updating the blog until I return.

Until then, may God bless you and keep you.