Fr. Matthew and my Visits to Gethsemani...

Many years ago, during my seminary days (when I was home) and when I was first ordained, I frequently attended the Sunday Compline and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the Trappist abbey of Gethsemani south of Bardstown. It's a very peaceful drive of about an hour south of Louisville. One of the monks, Fr. Matthew, would give a spiritual talk - always begun with a poem - after Compline ended in the chapel of the guest house. He was one of the best preachers I have ever heard; I stole many a homily idea from him. He died about a year ago at the age of 95. I recently came across some videos posted on YouTube of these talks and thought I'd share them here. They take me back...