After spending a little time at the water's edge, I headed back up the hill and took the other path also. Sounds like me to try out both! First I passed by a Trinity symbol artistically made of stone. The other path was steeper downhill, especially as it approached the water. At first I was't going to take the chance of slipping and yet something intrigued me. My first surprise was at the bottom--a small grotto with statue of Mary that I couldn't see until I reached the bottom. There was a bench where one could sit and pray. Someone had left fresh flowers at Mary's feet.
I am so glad I went deeper without slipping!
My second surprise of the day was at vespers tonight. At the end of the service the monks called the YASC missionaries to come to the altar for a sending out prayer and blessing. These young adults have been at the monastery for 2 weeks and today was their last day of training. Two of the young missionaries will serve at the Holy Cross Monastery in South Africa helping with local ministry. The connection is deep. The monks gathered around the 29 missionaries and laid hands on them, praying silently at first and then with spoken word. They sprinkled them with holy water, commissioning and sending them out to take the gospel to all parts of the world. What great joy to witness this blessing and to always remember the sweetness of this time.