The Cloister
@the-cloister.org
Welcome to The Cloister
Ally: 🕊️🧢 🏳️⚧️ 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇬🇱 🐧
Ally: 🕊️🧢 🏳️⚧️ 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 🇬🇱 🐧
Pinned
Welcome to The Cloister!
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
Brother Clifford on the practice of contemplation and queer men.
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#TheCloister #HereAtTheCloister #Queer #QueerChristian #Queer&Christian
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#TheCloister #HereAtTheCloister #Queer #QueerChristian #Queer&Christian
Finding Stillness in a World That Won’t Sit Still
By Brother Clifford
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Brother Clifford on the practice of contemplation and queer men.
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#TheCloister #HereAtTheCloister #Queer #QueerChristian #Queer&Christian
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#TheCloister #HereAtTheCloister #Queer #QueerChristian #Queer&Christian
Walking the Labyrinth and Finding Your Path, our first Substack post, is now live (we think. Brother Clifford assures us it is, but none of us can find it.) Tell your friends and thank you for sticking we us. We're glad to be back (but, are we?)
Walking the Labyrinth and Finding Your Path
Welcome to The Cloister’s Walking the Labyrinth, a journal of the contemplative life for queer men and allies.
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Walking the Labyrinth and Finding Your Path, our first Substack post, is now live (we think. Brother Clifford assures us it is, but none of us can find it.) Tell your friends and thank you for sticking we us. We're glad to be back (but, are we?)
Welcome to The Cloister!
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
January 7, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Welcome to The Cloister!
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
We're live on Substack (we think)
You can follow us at: www.the-cloister.org
And here, of course
Here at The Cloister, we celebrate Pride Month with this beautiful chat between Father James Martin, S.J. and Pete (please run for Prez. in 2028) Buttigieg, on life, fatherhood, spirituality, and being gay. Think of it as required listening. We insist.
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#PeteButtigieg #TheSpiritualLife
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#PeteButtigieg #TheSpiritualLife
Happy to share the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life," a conversation with @petebuttigieg.bsky.social about spiritual wholeness, integrity, a father's love--and the Father's love. Also, did you know his own father was a Jesuit? www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIft...
Pete Buttigieg | The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
YouTube video by America - The Jesuit Review
www.youtube.com
June 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Here at The Cloister, we celebrate Pride Month with this beautiful chat between Father James Martin, S.J. and Pete (please run for Prez. in 2028) Buttigieg, on life, fatherhood, spirituality, and being gay. Think of it as required listening. We insist.
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#PeteButtigieg #TheSpiritualLife
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#PeteButtigieg #TheSpiritualLife
Testimonium perhibemus. We bear witness.
This is the vow at the heart of The Cloister—not just service or silence, but presence. To witness what the world tries to overlook. To stand beside one another, not in judgment, but in sacred acknowledgment: We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.
This is the vow at the heart of The Cloister—not just service or silence, but presence. To witness what the world tries to overlook. To stand beside one another, not in judgment, but in sacred acknowledgment: We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.
June 23, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Testimonium perhibemus. We bear witness.
This is the vow at the heart of The Cloister—not just service or silence, but presence. To witness what the world tries to overlook. To stand beside one another, not in judgment, but in sacred acknowledgment: We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.
This is the vow at the heart of The Cloister—not just service or silence, but presence. To witness what the world tries to overlook. To stand beside one another, not in judgment, but in sacred acknowledgment: We see you. We hear you. You are not alone.
For what? The faces change, the flags shift, the technologies evolve—but the cycle grinds on, ancient and relentless as a millstone, powered by fear, grievance, ambition, and despair. And here we are again, waking up to war in a land that has known too many. For what?
"Whether bombing Iran was a good idea or a bad idea—and it could turn out to be either, or both—it is war by any definition of the term, and something Trump vowed he would avoid," writes @radiofreetom.bsky.social:
The United States Bombed Iran. Now What?
President Trump is taking an enormous risk.
bit.ly
June 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
For what? The faces change, the flags shift, the technologies evolve—but the cycle grinds on, ancient and relentless as a millstone, powered by fear, grievance, ambition, and despair. And here we are again, waking up to war in a land that has known too many. For what?
Here at The Cloister, we applaud Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for "serving" it, telling it, and calling it out. This is one of their finest 27 minutes of news commentary that should be required watching by everyone, everywhere.
#TDW #TheDailyShow #JonStewart
#TDW #TheDailyShow #JonStewart
Jon Stewart on Israel’s "Urgent" Iran Strike, Minnesota Murders & MAGA’s Blame Game | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
www.youtube.com
June 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Here at The Cloister, we applaud Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for "serving" it, telling it, and calling it out. This is one of their finest 27 minutes of news commentary that should be required watching by everyone, everywhere.
#TDW #TheDailyShow #JonStewart
#TDW #TheDailyShow #JonStewart
Could The 3.5% Protest Rule Stop Donald Trump?
YouTube video by Pod Save America
www.youtube.com
June 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We love Pete! Here at The Cloister we can't get enough of Pete Buttigieg's scruff, nor his eloquent chat in Iowa, talking about issues affecting everyone in the country. It's good to see him out, free to be himself, and ready to get back to work! Run, Pete! Run in 2028!
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#MajorPete #PeteButtiegieg
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#MajorPete #PeteButtiegieg
BREAKING NEWS: Possible 2028 Contender Pete Buttigieg Takes Voters' Questions At Iowa Town Hall
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
May 19, 2025 at 2:19 AM
We love Pete! Here at The Cloister we can't get enough of Pete Buttigieg's scruff, nor his eloquent chat in Iowa, talking about issues affecting everyone in the country. It's good to see him out, free to be himself, and ready to get back to work! Run, Pete! Run in 2028!
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#MajorPete #PeteButtiegieg
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#MajorPete #PeteButtiegieg
Here at The Cloister we wish all moms around the world, a happy Mother's Day.
May 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Here at The Cloister we wish all moms around the world, a happy Mother's Day.
Here at the Cloister, we're glad to finally have our copy of #RandyFair 's newly published book: Gay Arab American. We can't wait to dive into the interviews and stories of this anthology of under-represented men.
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#reading #books #readingbro #gayreaders #gaybooks #gayArab #gayArabAmerican
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#reading #books #readingbro #gayreaders #gaybooks #gayArab #gayArabAmerican
May 9, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Here at the Cloister, we're glad to finally have our copy of #RandyFair 's newly published book: Gay Arab American. We can't wait to dive into the interviews and stories of this anthology of under-represented men.
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#reading #books #readingbro #gayreaders #gaybooks #gayArab #gayArabAmerican
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#reading #books #readingbro #gayreaders #gaybooks #gayArab #gayArabAmerican
Here at The Cloister, wish #RobertPrevost the best of luck as #PopeLeoXIV. We hope he brings peace and unity to a fragmented and anxious world. As the first #AmericanPope, however, we caution him not to invite J D Vance to the Vatican. You saw what happened last time he was there and met the Pope.
May 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Here at The Cloister, wish #RobertPrevost the best of luck as #PopeLeoXIV. We hope he brings peace and unity to a fragmented and anxious world. As the first #AmericanPope, however, we caution him not to invite J D Vance to the Vatican. You saw what happened last time he was there and met the Pope.
Here at The Cloister, we love audiobooks. We listen to stories while we knit, write, cook, or are out on the trails. We love our local bookstores and our purchases support independent sellers. Have a look, browse around, and sign up! What will you listen to first?
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#aurdiobooks #Libro.fm #audioread
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#aurdiobooks #Libro.fm #audioread
Buy audiobooks & support local bookstores
Libro.fm makes it possible for you to buy audiobooks directly through local bookstores.
libro.fm
May 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Here at The Cloister, we love audiobooks. We listen to stories while we knit, write, cook, or are out on the trails. We love our local bookstores and our purchases support independent sellers. Have a look, browse around, and sign up! What will you listen to first?
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#aurdiobooks #Libro.fm #audioread
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#aurdiobooks #Libro.fm #audioread
Here at The Cloister, we're admirers of Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha. His poetry and essays not only document but also bear witness to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Toha won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and it is well deserved.
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#MosabAbuToha #Palestine #Pulitzer
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#MosabAbuToha #Palestine #Pulitzer
Palestinian Poet Mosab Abu Toha Is Documenting War in Verse
YouTube video by TIME
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Here at The Cloister, we're admirers of Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha. His poetry and essays not only document but also bear witness to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Toha won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and it is well deserved.
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#MosabAbuToha #Palestine #Pulitzer
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#MosabAbuToha #Palestine #Pulitzer
Here at The Cloister, we love a good pin-up (and Pinots — white or red is fine by us). The ones in this New Yorker article do not disappoint. Vince Aletti writes about how mid-century physique publications walked a fine line between discretion and seduction. And boy, are we easily seduced.
The Secrets of Physique Magazines
The mid-century publications didn’t need to announce themselves as gay, even if they had been able to. Their readers understood the necessity of balancing discretion and seduction.
www.newyorker.com
May 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Here at The Cloister, we love a good pin-up (and Pinots — white or red is fine by us). The ones in this New Yorker article do not disappoint. Vince Aletti writes about how mid-century physique publications walked a fine line between discretion and seduction. And boy, are we easily seduced.
And now we're off to Lincoln City in Lincolnshire to watch our beloved Dragons play their final match of the season. Thank you, Plymouth, for a great way to start our day. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have 15 minutes to drive 250 miles to watch the match. Off to iFollow we go.
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#WxmAFC #askwxm
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#WxmAFC #askwxm
May 3, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Here at The Cloister we have seen what this gay "New Fire Island" is like, and it's called Wilted Manners in Fort Lauderdale. And no, honey, you did not pass out from drinking too many screwdrivers. That was a K-hole. So, no. Not interested. Except for gays in Speedos. Now that we'd pay for.
Creating a New Fire Island from Scratch
Plotting the next gay utopia—less expensive than Long Island, with fewer children—an architect scours Europe for a site, and searches for Speedo-friendly investors.
www.newyorker.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Here at The Cloister we have seen what this gay "New Fire Island" is like, and it's called Wilted Manners in Fort Lauderdale. And no, honey, you did not pass out from drinking too many screwdrivers. That was a K-hole. So, no. Not interested. Except for gays in Speedos. Now that we'd pay for.
Good news for Mohsen Mahdawi at last. Here at the Cloister we're glad to see Mohsen freed from detention. His arrest without due process is a judicial travesty, and curtailing his freedom of speech unconstitutional. We're happy to see him freed and doing well.
A federal judge in Vermont ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green-card holder and student at Columbia University who was detained despite not being charged with a crime.
Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi freed after federal judge orders release
www.theguardian.com
April 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Good news for Mohsen Mahdawi at last. Here at the Cloister we're glad to see Mohsen freed from detention. His arrest without due process is a judicial travesty, and curtailing his freedom of speech unconstitutional. We're happy to see him freed and doing well.
Here at The Cloister, we're mad for Matthew Gaston. Our Herbs Master is considering abandoning us for an apprenticeship with him. (He's been restrained.) Still, with such good looks and lush hair, it's no wonder why he's hard to resist. We seriously hope he'll consider an apprenticeship with us.
April 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Here at The Cloister, we're mad for Matthew Gaston. Our Herbs Master is considering abandoning us for an apprenticeship with him. (He's been restrained.) Still, with such good looks and lush hair, it's no wonder why he's hard to resist. We seriously hope he'll consider an apprenticeship with us.
Here at The Cloister, we congratulate our northern friends's election results. But when we reach out to our Canadian Chapter House, all we get is news of a Mounties bare-chest syrup licking contest, and of spots being filled. We are left to wonder if this is part of Canada's election process.
Canada's Liberals celebrate a stunning win and the populist challenger loses his seat
Canada’s Liberals are celebrating election victory in a stunning turn of fortune. The country won't know until later Tuesday whether the party of new Prime Minister Mark Carney will have an outright m...
apnews.com
April 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Here at The Cloister, we congratulate our northern friends's election results. But when we reach out to our Canadian Chapter House, all we get is news of a Mounties bare-chest syrup licking contest, and of spots being filled. We are left to wonder if this is part of Canada's election process.
Here at The Cloister, we are neither surprised nor amused. Once again, the GOP shows itself to be the party of lies and hypocrites. Jesus Wept!
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#JesusWept
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#JesusWept
April 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Here at The Cloister, we are neither surprised nor amused. Once again, the GOP shows itself to be the party of lies and hypocrites. Jesus Wept!
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#JesusWept
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#JesusWept
April 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
God bless English humor. It's always so on point.
The group Everyone Hates Elon has plastered London with a fake ad campaign. One sign branded Tesla “the Swasticar,” and announced that the vehicle “Goes from 0 to 1939 in 3 Seconds.” “Now With White Power Steering,” another read.
The Guerrilla Marketing Campaign Against Elon Musk
As Tesla’s profits drop, a group called Everyone Hates Elon is going viral for plastering London with fake advertisements for the company, infiltrating a car showroom, and inviting the public to trash...
www.newyorker.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
God bless English humor. It's always so on point.
Here at The Cloister, we go online to listen to Offline, a podcast with @jonfavs.bsky.social & @max-fisher.bsky.social. We love spirited banter, and Jon and Max bring it twice a week with insight and humor that leave us alarmed and fearful for our future. Go and listen.
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#Offline #OfflinePodcast
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#Offline #OfflinePodcast
MAGA's Online Reaction to the Supreme Court's Ruling Against Trump is a Call for Authoritarianism
YouTube video by Offline with Jon Favreau
www.youtube.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Here at The Cloister, we go online to listen to Offline, a podcast with @jonfavs.bsky.social & @max-fisher.bsky.social. We love spirited banter, and Jon and Max bring it twice a week with insight and humor that leave us alarmed and fearful for our future. Go and listen.
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#Offline #OfflinePodcast
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#Offline #OfflinePodcast
Just desserts. You'd think he'd learn his lesson the first time around.
April 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Just desserts. You'd think he'd learn his lesson the first time around.