According to St Leo the Great, and many other commentators, Jesus kept appearing to his disciples for forty days so that they would recognize as truly risen One whom they knew as truly born, as him who truly suffered, and truly died. “The result was that not only were they not afflicted with sadness, but were filled with great joy when the Lord went into the heights of heaven” (Sermon 73:4).
Bread Alone
Recently during lunch times the Pluscarden community has listened to a book about Ultra-Processed Food.
The conclusions of this book are rather alarming.
It seems that a lot of what we eat contains ultra-processed ingredients which are, or may be, by and large, harmful. That is: these ingredients are (or may be) harmful to health, to the environment, to the global economy, to the poor.
The War in Ukraine Comes to Pluscarden
The war in Ukraine was brought somehow more immediately close to the Pluscarden community recently through the moving testimony of a Ukranian guest.
Anastasia Rozdolska is a 28 year old medical doctor who was with us in late May this year: enjoying a Scottish and Pilgrim break from her work on the front line of the war.
Pluscarden Benedictines No. 209 News and Notes for our Friends Winter 2025
Habemus Papam!
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Sunday 11 May 2025: Easter 4C, John 10:27-30
John 10:27-30
Introduction to the Mass:
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. A good day to celebrate our new Pope! And a day especially to pray for vocations. May the Lord send us shepherds who will truly and worthily speak of him, teach in his name, draw people to him, imitate him, mediate him, feed us with him.
Visit of Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J.
The Pluscarden community was pleased to have the honour of welcoming Br. Guy Consolmagno S.J. recently. Br. Guy is a prolific writer, and the famous Director of the Vatican Observatory. Some years ago we read in the refectory his book (published 2000) "Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist."
VE Day at Pluscarden
As everyone knows, Thursday 8 May 2025 was the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Churches around the land were encouraged to ring their bells for the event, at 6.30 p.m. Since this is just the time we normally come out of Church after our Vespers and silent prayer time, we were more than happy to add our small contribuition to this National celebration.