Second Vespers of the Epiphany in the convent chapel in LoisySisters sing carols for Christmas and the Epiphany during the afternoon recreationThe traditional Epiphany blessing includes a chalk inscription upon the door asking God to bless the house throughout the year, through the intercession of the Three KingsMorning light at our house in Loisy, France, on the feast of the EpiphanySome hours later, they celebrate the first Mass of the year for the feast of the CircumcisionThe canons, sisters, and faithful end the year 2025 in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. After midnight, they begin the year 2026 with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.Mass for the feast of Saint John in Preston, EnglandVisit to the ruins of Old Mellifont Abbaye, which had been the first Cistercian monastery in IrelandThe traditional house blessing on the EpiphanyThe sisters sing the Mass of the Epiphany at our house in Ardee, IrelandDinner with the Canons for the feast daySolemn Blessing of Epiphany waterRefectory on the feast of the Circumcision at Maria Engelport in GermanyTraditional blessed wine for the feast of St JohnAdoration of the Blessed Sacrament in BrusselsMass of the Epiphany in LivornoSecond Vespers in the convent chapel on the feast of the CircumcisionBenediction of the Blessed Sacrament on New Year’s Eve in LivornoThe sisters are delighted to explore the vast and charming manger scene created by seminarians at the Institute of Christ the King’s seminary in Gricigliano, ItalyWhile Florence hosts an exhibition of works by Fra Angelico, the sisters in Livorno have the opportunity to visitA visit to the nearby shrine, Our Lady of MonteneroThe sisters depict the life of Saint Margaret MaryOn the feast of Saint John the Evangelist, the sisters in Livorno, Italy share a lovely evening togetherThe Epiphany water is then used for a solemn blessing of the house and propertyBlessing of Epiphany waterDuring the Christmas Octave, our sisters in Switzerland visit with some horses after seeing an equestrian showDuring the Epiphany Octave, the novitiate has a lunch of farewell and thanksgiving for the novice mistress before she leaves for her new assignment, and a warm welcome for the new novice mistressOur Reverend Mother with several postulantsFeast of the EpiphanyPerhaps the best view for New Year’s fireworks is atop the convent’s roof!The Novitiate in Naples sings the Te Deum (hymn of thanksgiving to God) on New Year’s Eve before the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar
