If we needed reassurance, having spent the last three weeks or so praying for the dead and perhaps thinking of our own death, and about the Last Things, then the Church in Her wisdom delivers it. Sometimes the link between the readings at Mass is subtle, even difficult to discern. Not this time! The passage from the Apocalypse unambiguously answers any questions that were perhaps left hanging in the air by the other two readings
Dom Simon Piątkowski is appointed Prior Administrator of Pluscarden
The Abbot President of the Subiaco-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation, Dom Ignasi Fossa, with his Council of Assistants, has appointed Dom Simon Piątkowski as Prior Administrator of Pluscarden, until the next regular canonical Visitation: that is, until June 2027. This decision was recommended to the President by our Abbot Visitor, Dom Cuthbert Brogan of Farnborough Abbey, who reached it together with his Provincial Council.
Abbatial Election
Thanks to our Builders!
On Friday 15 November a number of prominent members of our building team assembled at the Abbey in order to be properly thanked for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.
Each was given a specially carved and inscribed wooden plaque as a memento of their months spent toiling here: also a pound jar of Pluscarden honey, and a bottle of Pluscarden apple juice! After suitable speeches and presentations, a lunch followed for all, served up from the kitchen these workers had themselves constructed.
Cleaning Church gutters
Public Blessing of St. Joseph's Guest House
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, 3 November 2024, Sunday 31B: Mark 12:28-34
Also St. Margaret’s Forres
Today's Gospel comes as a brief moment of relief amid the tension and foreboding of St. Mark's Gospel narrative. The episode is set in Holy Week, after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, to cries of Hosanna. Before and after it we read only of bitter confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities.
Homily for Sunday 30B, 27 October 2024: Psalm 104:3; Mark 10:46-52 etc.
As the procession entered Mass this morning we sang the Introit Laetetur cor - Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and be strengthened. Seek his face always. These words are taken from Psalm 104 (in our Greek numbering. St. Benedict has us sing it each week at Saturday Vigils). The idea of seeking God occurs several times in the Psalms (cf. e.g. Ps 39/40:16; 68/69:6 etc.) Another familiar Introit has a closely related text, taken from another Psalm (26/27:8-9): Tibi dixit cor meum - To you my heart has said, I have sought your face. I will earnestly seek your face O Lord. Do not turn your face away from me.