"It was the Eve of the Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, and the gathering was an attempt to capture a tradition that exists in some small Bavarian farming villages. There a Mass is said sometime between the Feasts of the Nativity and the Epiphany in a country barn, to emphasize the humble origins of the Prince of Peace."

Also in regard to the 19+C+M+B+98 written over doors at Epiphany, we joke here at the monastery that it means "19 cases of monastery beer for $98". Needless to say, we are expecting the bottom to fall out of the monastery beer business in a couple of years. The price may hit rock bottom! $00!!!

When the German monks founded the monastery in 1846, there was also a monastery brewery. What's a German monastery without a brewery! However, prohibition put an end to that. A few years ago, there was arson in the old brewery building and for safety reasons, it was decided to raze the building.

Willy, O.S.B.

William Wurm, O.S.B.
German Instructor
President, Western Pennsylvania Chapter of AATG
Saint Vincent College
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Latrobe, PA 15650-2690
http://www.stvincent.edu

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