Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Today I’m still owned by God, but that’s my secret. I’m dressed as a student, not a monk. I find Jarrow’s renowned library has a magnificent collection of books. It is well-known among the monastic communities and that reputation enables this monastery to borrow more and more books toContinue reading “#73.8 Thursday, October 16, 2025”
Tag Archives: #Luxeuil
#51.11, Weds., Dec. 27, 2023
Historical Setting, 610 C.E. The cottage in the Vosges Safe at home calls for the great exhale — the unwinding of the wandering and the dare — the hugs and soft kisses — the beverage — the toast — the prayers of thanks — the counting of each person safe. We are all hereContinue reading “#51.11, Weds., Dec. 27, 2023”
#45.11, Tues., June 27, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil Luxeuil is different from the small cloister of monks that peopled Annegray. Now it has overseers for things like gifts from nobility. Father Columbanus is so well-known far and wide that bishops must gather in councils to request his attendance, even when they mean to accuse him of ignoringContinue reading “#45.11, Tues., June 27, 2023”
#42.14, Thurs., March 30, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. The opened gates of Luxeuil I’m asking Brother Servant what hour will the nuns be in the oratorio. Cy casts a look of suspicious curiosity. “Why would I bring young boys just to see the nuns?” Brother Servant knows why. He says, “I can’t wait to see the lookContinue reading “#42.14, Thurs., March 30, 2023”
#41.11, Thurs., Feb. 23, 2023
Historical setting: 590 C.E. Cottage between Annegray and Luxeuil “Bringing a new bird now.” That was the message that arrived today on the leg of one of our birds. We had sent a message to Annegray that the boys arrived safely but we had not heard back, nor had we received the visitors weContinue reading “#41.11, Thurs., Feb. 23, 2023”
#39.6 Weds., Dec. 14, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Luxeuil The old Roman baths at Luxeuil, like the well I found behind our cottage, had been nearly hidden in overgrown vines and scrubby trees sprouting on tiny stems between the immovable Roman stones. Stems of saplings, fed by the sun above and the waters of earth became an untendedContinue reading “#39.6 Weds., Dec. 14, 2022”
#39.5, Tues., Dec. 13, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. the path to Luxeuil Wearing winter fleeces now, I make my way down the hill coaxing the mules through the drifts of snow on the zig-zag path, down, down to the hard-frozen creek bed. The wind is nearly at my back, sending snow dancing in swirls and twirls of outContinue reading “#39.5, Tues., Dec. 13, 2022”
#37.10, Tues., Oct. 25, 2022
Historical setting: 589 C.E. Traveling to Châlons So now we are a great procession of cow, donkey and cart, followed by four fully armored servants of the Bishop of Rome on fine horses, all laden with swords and shields and horse covers of rich silks, prepared to deliver a message to the king ofContinue reading “#37.10, Tues., Oct. 25, 2022”
Lazarus Ink 