I just got back from three days at Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction Michigan. I know everyone has their favorite monastery, and this is mine. If you are ever in the Detroit area….or even in the Chicago area……I highly recommend a visit. It’s about a 3 hour drive from Chicago. Mother Gabriella and Father Roman are happy to have visitors, and I highly recommend celebrating with them on their feast day. I beleive we had about 500 people there this year. Imagine a beautiful procession led by the nuns carrying an icon of the Dormition, followed by…I lost count, but I want to say 17 Priests, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, His Eminence Archbishop Job, several Deacons and the Laity. Out of the chapel and into the pavillion. Then imagine standing in the pavillion for Vigil and Lamentations, in the middle of trees and flowers, with 
a slight breeze blowing….candles lit….the beauty of the vestments and icons and the sweet sound of the sisters and mothers chanting…as the sun sets over God’s creation. It’s funny, it brings tears to my eyes even now. Everything seems so perfect and….right.
Surrounded by so many people who feel the same way brings a refreshment to your soul that you pray will stay with you when you go back out into the “world”. This is where I wish I had the talent the OSB speakers have for writing. I know I cannot convey with proper grammer and punctuation at least, what I want to say. So, I’ll struggle along embarrassingly and wonder whether I should hit “publish” when I’m finished. Let me know if you ever want to go. I will put you in touch with Mother Gabriella, give you directions….however I can help. I hope to see you there! Here is their website in case you want to take a look! www.dormitionmonastery.com
May God continue to bless all of you,
Cynthia