Our Bishop (and former Abbot) Hugh came to be with the community for Tuesday 10 March this year, Feast of St. John Ogilvie.
On that day, 50 years before, he had made his first Monastic Profession, together with Dom Anselm Atkinson: who is now resident at our dependent house in Petersham, Massachusetts.
Bishop Hugh wanted the celebration to be rather quiet, so there were no large crowds or public entertainments. He sang our Mass of the Feast, at which Fr. Giles gave a fine homily. Otherwise there were no additional ceremonies: although after Vespers the Community sang a heart-felt "Te Deum" of thanksgiving.
Happily Fr. Bede, now normally resident at Kristo Buase Monastery in Ghana, was able to be present for the occasion: while enjoying one of his brief home visits.
He and Fr. Giles had both been at the original Profession 50 years ago. The three of them are pictured in our Cloister garden in lovely bright Spring sunshine, with the first daffodil of the season just beginning to show its head nearby.
Bishop Hugh spoke to the community about his focus now on praying for the grace of final perseverance.
He has just over a year now to go before he reaches his 75th birthday: which nowadays is the normal age for Catholic Bishops to retire, or at least to offer their resignation.
