Oblate Letter 21 Lent 2014
Oblate letter of the Pluscarden Benedictines, Elgin, Moray, IV30 8UA.
Scotland.
Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258
Scotland.
Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258
Website www.pluscardenabbey.org DMB series No 21
Lent--2014
Monastic
Voice of the Carthusians "The Prayer of Love and Silence" by a Carthusian, translated
from the French by a monk of Parkminster:
"Obedience and patience, we
must remember, are not ends in themselves. 'Art for art's sake' is nonsense,
since nothing created can be its own end. It is the same with virtue. .Virtue
for virtue's sake' as an ideal is meaningless and discouraging, because it can
never be realized. Anyone leaving the world for the paltry pleasure of thinking
himself perfect, or who accepts the world's challenge from a sense of spiritual
pride or to increase his self-esteem, is simply ending up where he began with
himself! When Our Lord asks us to empty our hearts, it is because he wants to
fill them with His own love. And it is only when He does fill our hearts that
the work of our purification has achieved its object. In the same way, the
divine life can only take possession of us when we have done all we can, on our
part, to become detached from created things. Death to self and life in God are
inseparably linked: the one without the other remains sterile.
Listen
to Our Lord's promises to those who keep his word: promises that he longs with
divine impatience to realize in us. He
that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will
manifest myself to him; and we will come to him, and will make our abode with
him. In that day, you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I
in you. ...And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete,
that he may abide with you forever.....the Spirit of Truth. He shall abide with
you, and shall be in you."
From The
Oblatemaster’s Desk
My apologies--this
letter shall be a little shorter and is a little later than the first of last
year. My brother-in-law Alan died on the feast of the Epiphany and my brother,
Timothy had a heart attack in February ( he is recovering well). Our fragility
is a good preparation for Lent " Remember man that you are dust and unto
dust you shall return" ( Ash Wednesday liturgy)
"When our Lord asks us to empty our hearts, it is
because he wants to fill them with His own love." When we are tardy in
making a shift towards this our Lord, to help us, steps in by His providential
ways. Divine Providence in tandem with the Liturgy empties, shapes and fills
our hearts when we embrace it all in faith. Our Lord Jesus is always about His Father's business which is making
us ready for His company and that of the Communion of saints now and in
eternity--- not without our willing coӧperation.".... and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. In that
day, you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."
Prayer
Intentions Br Joseph Solemn profession 25 March For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For vocations at Pluscarden, St Mary's, Petersham and Kristo
Buase. Br. Adrian and Br. Finbar, health. Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr.
Dunstan’s parents, failing .The repose of the souls of Mary Buist and Fr. Martin's
brother-in-law, Alan Willis and for his
widow Annie. Please pray for sick Oblates especially for Sarah Drever’s husband
Leslie. Brigitte Mackay, Mrs Maggie Barrett and Fr. Martin's brother Timothy(
oblate) recovering from heart surgery, Paul Miller 90's and hernia, Margaret
Rawcliffe, for Ursula Humphrey(who broke her wrist at Pluscarden preparing for
the Lenten retreat!), Mrs. Gertrude Corker’s two daughters, for Bob Barr,
Brian Milne, , Gail Schmitz and her son Julian, Maurice Dufficy, Mary
Bradley, Graham Dunbar, Pauline Reid, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Marie
Claire Hérnandez paralysed after a stroke in Spain her home, Bob Clark(poorly
but gamely coming to the rerteat!)), Nick Macrae’s son, Martin Macrae, and wife
Sharon, kidney transplants, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui’s
daughter Sally, Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie and his twin brother, Carolyn
Boardman and son Malcolm, Martin Farrelly recovering from very major surgery
and just lost his dog Murdo, David Braine, philosopher, Susan Stephen, Violet,
Sheila and all friends of the Abbey and for all oblates, friends and all the
sick, and those who care for them.
BOOKS Conscience in Context by Fr. Stuart Chalmers, VG of Aberdeen Diocese and oblate of Pluscarden
Abbey ISBN 978-3-0343-0995-0 pb. (Softcover) £55.00 ( or
through your library!)"In this book, the author presents a detailed study
of the notion of conscience from the perspective of its historical development
and existential environment. The purpose of the study is to highlight
conscience’s dignity and fallibility, as well as its dependence upon the
context of virtue and grace, in order to develop as our capacity to perceive
the truth in moral action"
"There
is nothing facile here. There is no replacement of the old authoritarianism with
a subtly disguised newer model. Rather Fr Chalmers takes us beyond the
paralysing dualism of inner light and external authority. He makes a quietly unpolemical
but crucial contribution to that authentic renewal of moral theology called for
by Vatican II and Bl. John Paul
II.
Both theoretically (this is based on a doctoral thesis) and practically (he is
a parish priest), he shows a way by which, like St Thomas More, we can indeed,
humbly under the mercy of God, “discharge our conscience”. I hope this book
will be appreciated for the light it brings.
+
Hugh Gilbert O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen
"INTERMONASTIC
EXCHANGE PRINKNASH/PLUSCARDEN" Venue--PRINKNASH ABBEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE,
ENGLAND
12
– 14th JULY 2014-- £65--Don't miss your Chance-- write at once or email Fr.
martin at Pluscarden for a booking form and the full programme ( or see in
Oblate Letter 19 available through Pluscarden website Oblate blog)-- PAMELA IS
VERY HOPEFUL OF YOUR RESPONSE.
St
Mungo’s Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell
Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP. Phone:0141
4272084. Numbers have been steadily increasing.
St. Monica’s Chapter,
Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso,
Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467
ST.PETER'S CHAPTER OF OBLATES Aberdeen WILL BE STARTING AGAIN ON
WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH IN ST.PETER'S
CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH ROOM AT 5PM
IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OBLATES CAN YOU PASS ON THIS INFORMATION THANK YOU!! Mr Brian MilneTel 01224 485781 stpetersbulletin1803@talktalk.net
Ugandan
Seminarian update.The young man, Dominic, who was in the
Minor Seminary and who the Oblates sponsored for the the last two years, failed
to meet the standard, and was asked to leave the Seminary in December 2013.
The
second young man, Josaphat, had been through Minor Seminary, and was supported
by the Oblates in 2013 to complete his Higher Education. Success would have
allowed him entry into the Major Seminary. We have not received any information
on how successful he was in his exams and as such our sponsorship has come to
an end.
I
fear we may have lost both our Seminarians. Yours in Christ, Paul
The
Third World Congress of Benedictine Oblates October 2013, report from Rome by
our oblates Martin Gardner and Jim Bradley.
During the first week of October Jim and I
found ourselves on a flight to Rome to attend the World Congress of lay
Benedictine oblates. We arrived, not without some little adventure, at
the Salesianum, our accommodation for the week, in time for Vespers.
There were 13 delegates from Benedictine Abbeys around the U.K. and 160
fellow oblates from around the world including Korean, Brazilian, Australian
and Nigerian, to name just a few, mostly Catholic but also brother Benedictines
from Anglican communities.
The Theme of this Congress was “Obsculta” –
the Oblate listening in the world. This is the first word of the Rule,
meaning listen (and obey), which reminds us that from the very beginning the
Rule puts into place the dynamic of listening and obedience.
Listening there was aplenty during the week
including keynote speeches from Sr. Mary John Mananzan O.S.B., who reminded us
of Pope Francis’ call to alleviate poverty in the world, Abbot Primate Wolf OSB
and Fr. Michael Casey OCist whose address was, for me, the highlight of the
week. One of his memorable remarks concerned Faith. “Faith comes
from hearing, from receiving the Word. This fundamental gift of grace
passes through five stages before it becomes complete - experience,
enlightenment, assent, practice and perseverance.” He also spoke
wonderfully on Lectio Divina. Some Oblates were unaware of Lectio Divina
so an additional workshop was hastily organised. Who among we oblates
carry out this as a norm in our daily lives?
Should you wish to read Fr Michael’s speech
in full please use the following link
http://www.benedictine-oblates.org/2013/txt/txt-03-en.pdf I promise you
will be very glad you did.
From first light until usually 10 pm each
day we explored a number of topics in breakout workshops which included that of
Kenosis – emptying ourselves so we may be truly able to Listen. Lauds,
Mass, Vespers and Compline were sung in the Church’s universal language of
Latin which was a boon in such a diverse lingual gathering.
It was not all lectures, workshops and
study, very profitable though they most certainly were. Trips were
organised to Subiaco, Sant’Anselmo, Saint Peter’s for the Sunday Angelus, and
Monte Cassino. We were privileged to be given true Benedictine
hospitality from the Abbot Primate Fr Wolf OSB who treated us not only to
supper at Sant’Anselmo but also to a musical evening at Sant’Anselmo.
The most evocative image I retain from our
trips was seeing one of our American spiritual directors, Fr Paschal Morlino
OSB, kneeling at the foot of the statue of St Benedict in the grotto of
Subiaco. His visage filled with humble piety, love, devotion and prayer
to our Holy Father St Benedict was a sight I shall not forget.
In his closing remarks the Abbot Primate
indicated that there will indeed by a 4th World Congress. I would
encourage you to put yourself forward without any hesitation. Only one
word of caution – do not fly Alitalia; our journey home was even more
adventurous than our outward journey. They too should perhaps “Listen”.
Oblate Lenten Retreat Programme starting Friday,
7th March -arrivals for Vespers; Saturday--10.30
am 1st retreat talk Abbot Anselm, Saturday afternoon 2.30-4.00 confession/talk
with priest St Benedict's, ground floor and confessional box in the Church; Sunday homily at 10.00 am Mass Abbot
Anselm, 2.00 pm-4.00 pm silent Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7.00
pm 2nd retreat talk Abbot Anselm; Monday,
10th March final Mass at 9.00 am and renewal of oblation, departures following.
In general we follow the timetable of the Divine Office and Holy Mass for the
weekend apart from the additional items specified-- if commuting in then please bring your own flasks and
sandwiches!( It is Lent!!)
Blessings
on your Lenten Preparation Fr.
Martin PAX
Oblate Letter 20 Christmas 2013
Ph.
(01343) 890257 fax 890258
Ph.
(01343) 890257 fax 890258
Christmas 2013
MONASTIC
VOICE--- Our Congregation
"CONCORDIA CARITATIS"---what it
is.......
An attempt both to define, but also, to
evoke, the collaborative spirit of the whole Subiaco Cassinese Congregation in
a world where resources, especially the human kind, are hard to find. This
final text was put together by a theological commission, led by Abbot Visitor
Anselm Atkinson of Pluscarden, and was officially adopted by a large majority
vote at General Chapter, Subiaco, September 2012-Ed.1
Following a line of thought that began with
the General Chapter of 2004 and continued at the Chapter of 2008, this General
Chapter of 2012 presents some points of reference by which, in the
circumstances of today, monasteries may grow in the life of charity and come to
a renewed understanding of the
reciprocal relationship between autonomy and membership within the Congregation
of Subiaco2
'Concordia Caritatis. '
Introduction
Today the Holy Spirit is leading us to a
fuller understanding of the absolute primacy of charity(cf. Benedict XVI,
encyclical Deus Caritas est). Theology is engaged in the contemplation of God
as Trinity and a meditation on Christ, centred on the paschal mystery and the
definition of love that this reveals. The Church is defined as communion.
These Christian insights converge with the
best of contemporary philosophy and culture. A person is not defined by himself
alone, but by others, in a human and spiritual context where he listens to the
other and speaks to him. At the same time, the reduction of distances in space
and time in our civilisation result, in today's world, in a good deal of travel
and more frequent communication.3
This shift of emphasis, which centres
everything on love, must be genuinely lived out in institutions, if they are
not to become outdated: so, for us, monasteries are called to give themselves
to each other, and so live in charity. No-one exists alone, without others, and
from now on, in an international Congregation like ours this is so world-wide:
our "globalisation" is expressed in terms of relationships between
our monasteries, first within the Province, then within the Congregation.
We must also acknowledge that the monasteries
of our Congregation have become fragile.
There are few vocations in "first world" countries; it is hard to
find ways of forming "Third World's" vocations; everywhere, it is
becoming very, difficult to find superiors for each house. So henceforth
membership of the Congregation will provide all our monasteries with the
context in which they will achieve autonomy or, if this autonomy still seems
solid, help others to acquire it. Authority itself, whether general or
provincial, will take on a new face: fostering contacts, setting up
relationships - in short, constantly urging to mutual, tangible love.4
Concordia Caritatis
I. The monastery is a school for the service
of the Lord who calls us to share in the Kingdom where we shall see him 5 whose
weakness we share,6 and who is recognised in weakness: he is served
in needy brothers,7 received in guests,8 and guides the community through one who is
still being purified from faults.9
2. This sharing in weakness engenders good
zeal and the readiness to give, in a mutual obedience that transcends law .10
Ascending by humility towards the perfect love that casts outfear, 11
the monastic community is a communion of brothers united by the bond of charity
and called to the freedom of the children of God.
3. The community lives through a variety of
relationships created by the same charity that unites the
brothers:relationships with the local Church and people,12 and other
monasteries and communities. 13 Hence the community's autonomy, the
sign of its freedom, is not the self -sufficiency of the rich man who, when his
land produced an abundance, built bigger barns to store his crops.14 It
is the dependence on the Lord shown by the woman who gave all her meal and oil
to feed Elijah, and found the jar of meal was not empty and the cruse of oil
was not spent;15 and by the disciples of Jesus, when, with their few
loaves and fish they fed the multitude. 16 Like the disciples, we
find ourselves poor when we look to our own resources. Our poverty becomes
wealth when, in joyful dependence on the Lord, we seek first the Kingdom of
God. 17
4. In its familial relationship with its
Province and the Congregation the community can be known with a truth that
informs and authenticates all its relationships. Hence the importance of
fraternal contacts between communities, the dissemination by each community of
information about itself,18 and study of the history of the
Congregation and themonasteries16 of the Congregation. All this
requires effort, especially considering the many languages spoken in our
communities. 19 However, it contributes greatly to the life of the
communities, creating a climate of mutual respect, trust and encouragement, a
sense of a shared vocation, and a deeper understanding of the grace we have
received.
5. Membership in the Congregation extends the
possibilities for the exercise of good zeal. Provinces and communities help
each other by sharing their resources, for example through shared programmes of
formation, common work projects, and sharing of financial resources. 20
Provincial Chapters and meetings may be held in monasteries of other Provinces,
and it should be normal to invite guests from other Provinces to these
meetings. It may be necessary for communities to help each other by sending
brothers, following the provisions of our legislation.21 The
brothers who are sent strengthen the stability of the community that receives
them, and live out their community's vocation at its deepest level: by sending
them their community truly gives of itself.
6. The Abbot President with his Councils, and
the Visitors within the Provinces, have particular responsibility for fostering
the bond of charity between the communities. They should promote contacts and
co-operation between communities. They are in a position to know the needs and
also the possibilities of the various communities, and to make specific
proposals about how communities might help each other. They should be attentive
to small and isolated communities, applying in this context the teaching of the
Rule of St. Benedict concerning the reception of the poor. 22 Of
particular importance is the role of the Abbot President in fostering a common
sense of the meaning of the monastic vocation. The primary responsibility of
the Abbot President is the Congregation as a whole. Drawing on the
Congregation's tradition, and his own experience of the communities, he is able
to give new impetus through his teaching and his personal contacts with the
monasteries and Provinces.
7. The sacrificial nature of charity is
especially clear in our time, when many communities feel that their resources
cannot be extended beyond their own immediate needs. Our weakness can be
experienced as a call to a more authentic charity , not giving out of our
abundance but of our substance, like the widow who put into the temple treasury
all she had to live on.23 The greatest danger of our present
fragility is that a community , not finding a way to give, might tend to close
in on itself. This is a tendency towards death ( even if a community continues
as a juridical entity).24
8. Communities are especially in need of help
when they approach closure. The circumstances of this are not always
foreseeable, and charity must provide where law cannot.25 The
Congregation, and especially the Province, should help a community that can no
longer maintain its autonomous existence make decisions that best suit its
circumstances. Even when a decision to close has been made, the brothers may
decide to maintain their common life as long as possible, attaching themselves
in some way to another community.
9. A monastic Congregation exists for one
purpose: to promote a constant return to the evangelical values of the Rule,
lived in communities that have each their own proper character shaped by
stabilitas loci. The indispensable benefit represented by membership in the
Congregation appears most clearly when we realise that we cannot arrive at this
goal by ourselves. It is for this reason that we seek to help one another and
be helped by one another.
Conclusion
When the widow of Zarephath fed Elijah, she
gave, with the food, her life and the life of her son, her hope. In return she
received an abundance of food, the life of her son, renewed
hope. We may see here an anticipation of the
eucharistic sacrifice. If our present time calls our communities to give more
profoundly of themselves, it invites us also to a renewal of hope, that through
the weakness of our humanity Christ will give us a deeper sharing in the
paschal mystery that is the centre of our life in community .
1. See the letter " Appels lancés a nos
communautes" of the 17th General Chapter.
2 [Unofficial note by the Editor: at the time
of adoption, the Congregation' s official title
had not yet changed to "The Subiaco
Cassinese Congregation"]
3 We know each other better; even the most
stable of monks travel sometimes: in order to
receive necessary technical formation, to
take part in some meeting or other, biblical or ,
spiritual... For the younger members,
formation is often in common; at any rate, inter- ,
novitiate and inter-juniorate meetings
regularly take place. More senior members,
superiors or cellarers meet each other more
frequently, so that together they may better
cope with the problems of government
confronting them.
4 [Editor's note] Monks, who have received
Abbot Mauro Meacci's beautiful version of the "Concordia" will notice
that these
first paragraphs, and the entire collection
of footnotes, were therein omitted for reasons of brevity and practicality.
5 RE Prologue 21
6 RE Prologue 50
7 RE 36, 1.
8RE 53,1.
9 RE 2,40.
IOcr: RE 71 and 72.
II RB 7, 67.
12 cf. RB 64, 4.
13 RB 61,13-14.
14 Luke 12:16-21.
15 I Kings 17:8-24.
16 Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; Mark 6:32-44;
8:1-10; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15.
17 RB 2,35.
18 For example, by a regular newsletter, by a
website, and by announcements of and
invitations to special events such as
professions and anniversaries.
19 If a community is to benefit from
membership of an international Congregation, and
contribute to it, the study of foreign
languages is indispensable.
20 For this purpose the Congregation has
established a Solidarity Fund. This is not to be
seen as simply a means of transferring money
from the rich to the poor. Every community
is invited to contribute, according to its
means, so that the Fund can be a practical
expression of communion.
21 Constitutions nos. 93-95 and OCG 82, 13°.
22 RB 53,15.
23 Luke 21:1-4
24When we really have nothing else to give,
we can always offer good words(cf. RB 31,
13-14), strengthening one another by sharing
our experiences of limitation, shedding the
light of God' s word on our present
situation, and praying for one another.
25 For the relevant provisions of our law see
Constitutions nos. 13 and 18; OCG 1; 5; 80,
7° and 82, 5°.
Prayer Intentions :- For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For vocations at Pluscarden, St
Mary's, Petersham and Kristo Buase. Br.
Adrian & Br. Finbar, health. For the repose of the souls of Rhoda
Alcott(whose oblate husband Derek Alcott died saving a drowning man), Deacon
William Joss, Lady Joan Innes, John McLaughlin, --all Oblates. Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr. Dunstan’s parents, failing . Our new
Oblates: Rev. Christopher Thomas Mayo, Margaret Mary Pio Kessack, Leonora Ann
Hildegaard Duson. We pray for the new
Dominican Sisters in Elgin. Please
pray for sick Oblates especially for Sarah Drever’s husband Leslie, Brigitte
Mackay recovering from heart surgery, Mrs Maggie Barrett also recovering from
heart surgery, Paul Miller 90's and hernia, Margaret Rawcliffe, Mrs. Gertrude
Corker’s two daughters, for Bob
Barr, Brian Milne, Mary Buist, Gail
Schmitz and her son Julian, Maurice Dufficy, Mary Bradley, Graham Dunbar,
Pauline Reid, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Marie Claire Hérnandez, Bob
Clark(poorly), Nick Macrae’s son, Martin Macrae, and wife Sharon, kidney
transplants, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui’s daughter Sally,
Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie and his twin brother, Carolyn Boardman and son
Malcolm, Martin Farrelly recovering from very major surgery, David Braine,
philosopher, Susan Stephen and all friends of the Abbey and for all oblates,
friends and all the sick, and those who care for them.
Uganda
Seminarians we are sponsoring.( "Concordia Caritatis"!!) Profound
thanks to our supporters. I am repeating my appeal for further sponsors for 20
year old Josaphat for 2014 and onwards in the form of “one off donations” or
preferably small monthly standing orders. Please also remember them all in your
prayers especially dominic's mother whop was knocked down by a car.
For further
detail or clarification please contact me, Paul Costello at:-
4, Commercial
Road, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 9BD.
Phone: -
01358-721512 or Mobile:- 07762-432080
BOOKS
and Media:-Jane Coll, Oblate of Pluscarden--buy and read her new book!:
‘Handmaids of the Lord: Women Deacons in the Catholic Church’----
is published by Gracewing and can be purchased through
their web page, £20
ISBN 978
085244 7727 www.gracewing.co.uk bookshops or on Amazon .It carries an Imprimatur from Bishop Hugh Gilbert,
confirming that it does not contradict Church teaching on faith or morals.
“Jane Coll’s book is an
important contribution to the debate over the role of women in the Church. It is a ‘must read’ for many reasons
–
● It is loyal to Church
teachings
● It takes an academic
approach, avoiding personal, emotional bias
● It presents a doctrinally
sound argument from Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium for retaining the
all-male priesthood
● It explores in-depth the
possibilities of reintroducing the order of deaconesses in the Church of the
third millennium;
● It takes up the challenge
of Pope Francis to investigate further the role of women in
the Church."
NB All the DVD's of
the Oblate events are available from Martin GardnerNB ( You sometimes
say you haven't got your DVD and I ask you if you get in touch with Martin
Gardner and you answer... He kindly assumes you have given a donation to the
Abbey in respect of it and will send you one-- he has borne all the expenses to
help the Abbey. So do please apply to him at
martin@guardair.co.uk Post:- Dunmoir, 18, Gurney St., Stonehaven,AB39 2EB. This
is most especially for those who were not
there!-- get one and it's as if you'd been there!
|
Con gr e s s u s C ar it a t i s ? R o m e 2013 A n d
r e w M a r t i n a nd J i m , o u r K B
a n d P l us c a r d en D e l e g
a t e s
|
From The Oblatemaster's Desk
The "Concordia
Caritatis" agreement in charity, concord of love, covenant of love,
entered into by our monasteries( at the head of this Christmas letter)
expresses the collaboration and communion between our monasteries of our
Congregation. It is essentially what our Christian life is about, our monastic
life, our oblate life. It is brethren sharing everything in common, riches
& poverty, strengths and weaknesses. We do all this because our loving God
has done it first. Like St Paul we imitate God by sharing all our sufferings
and consolations "For as we share abundantly in Christ's
sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort
and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you
experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our
hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you
will also share in our comfort."
(2Corinthians 1.6-7) This is Christmas, God living among us, of which
our poor modern-day, God-starved neighbours are blisslessly unaware." His state was divine, yet He did not cling to
His equality with God but emptied Himself". ( Philippians 2.6) "And
the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the
glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." (John 1.14)
or in the beauty of Latin " et
Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis et vidimus gloriam eius gloriam
quasi unigeniti a Patre plenum gratiae et veritatis (John (Vulgate) 1.14) God's is the original "Concordia
Caritatis"! What Joy is in those words of
God's sharing with us in the Incarnation whether sung aloud or in our
hearts, or both--Happy Christmas!!—PAX
Pluscarden Oblate Lenten Retreat 2014.
Fr Abbot is giving your Retreat. 1st Weekend of Lent, Vespers,Friday, 7th March to morning Mass,
Monday, 10th March departing. Please use this form to book into St
Scholastica's and St. Benedict's. PLEASE RETURN THE FORM TO FR. BEDE THE
GUESTMASTER AND AWAIT HIS REPLY TO FIND
OUT IF THERE IS A PLACE FOR YOU. You can of course attend without being
resident but in accomodation of your arranging. Please let Fr. Martin, the
oblate master, know if you are attending even if not resident. No special provisions will be made for meals
so if attending from elsewhere please bring your own sandwiches and flasks.
Oblate Retreat ---Vespers,Friday, 7th March to
morning Mass, Monday, 10th March departing— see over for booking form:-
BOOKING FORM TO
RETURN TO FR. BEDE, GUESTMASTER, Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, Moray, IV30
8UA.-postal address guestmaster.pluscarden@gmail.com both
for Ladies, St Scholastica's and men, St Benedict's--- NB.There are no
special provisions for meals.
Surname.........................................
Christian Name.....................................
Address..........................................................................................................
Post Code................................ Phone
number...........................................
Mobile number............................
email..........................................................
I am staying the whole weekend if I may Fri/Mon
Signature..............................
I have let Fr. Martin know: tick if yes..............................
I am bringing my own food at St Scholastica's
(necessary) please tick................
Return to Fr. Bede, Guestmaster, Pluscarden Abbey,
Elgin, IV30 8UA as soon as possible.
#.....................................................................................Programme:-Friday, 7th March -arrivals for
Vespers; Saturday--10.30 am 1st
retreat talk Abbot Anselm, Saturday
afternoon 2.30-4.00 confession/talk with priest St Benedict's, ground floor and confessional box in the Church; Sunday homily at 10.00 am Mass Abbot Anselm, 2.00 pm-4.00 pm silent Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7.00 pm 2nd retreat talk Abbot Anselm; Monday,
10th March final Mass at 9.00 am and renewal of oblation, departures following. In general we follow
the timetable of the Divine Office and Holy Mass for the weekend apart from
the additional items specified.
With profound thanks for all your renewals and
letters
and contributions
not all of which I've been
With love and prayer and with
every
blessing for
Christmas
and forever,
Yours in Christ
and our
Holy Father Saint Benedict,
Fr.
Martin OSB
LATE EXTRA
In addition there are to LATE extra items only appearing in this email until the Lenten Letter of next year—two appendices—updates—reports.
The Third World Congress of Benedictine Oblates October 2013
During the first week of October Jim and I found ourselves on a flight to Rome to attend the World Congress of lay Benedictine oblates. We arrived, not without some little adventure, at the Salesianum, our accommodation for the week, in time for Vespers. There were 13 delegates from Benedictine Abbeys around the U.K. and 160 fellow oblates from around the world including Korean, Brazilian, Australian and Nigerian, to name just a few, mostly Catholic but also brother Benedictines from Anglican communities.
The Theme of this Congress was “Obsculta” – the Oblate listening in the world. This is the first word of the Rule, meaning listen (and obey), which reminds us that from the very beginning the Rule puts into place the dynamic of listening and obedience.
Listening there was aplenty during the week including keynote speeches from Sr. Mary John Mananzan O.S.B., who reminded us of Pope Francis’ call to alleviate poverty in the world, Abbot Primate Wolf OSB and Fr. Michael Casey OCist whose address was, for me, the highlight of the week. One of his memorable remarks concerned Faith. “Faith comes from hearing, from receiving the Word. This fundamental gift of grace passes through five stages before it becomes complete - experience, enlightenment, assent, practice and perseverance.” He also spoke wonderfully on Lectio Divina. Some Oblates were unaware of Lectio Divina so an additional workshop was hastily organised. Who among we oblates carry out this as a norm in our daily lives?
Should you wish to read Fr Michael’s speech in full please use the following link http://www.benedictine-oblates.org/2013/txt/txt-03-en.pdf I promise you will be very glad you did.
From first light until usually 10 pm each day we explored a number of topics in breakout workshops which included that of Kenosis – emptying ourselves so we may be truly able to Listen. Lauds, Mass, Vespers and Compline were sung in the Church’s universal language of Latin which was a boon in such a diverse lingual gathering.
It was not all lectures, workshops and study, very profitable though they most certainly were. Trips were organised to Subiaco, Sant’Anselmo, Saint Peter’s for the Sunday Angelus, and Monte Cassino. We were privileged to be given true Benedictine hospitality from the Abbot Primate Fr Wolf OSB who treated us not only to supper at Sant’Anselmo but also to a musical evening at Sant’Anselmo.
The most evocative image I retain from our trips was seeing one of our American spiritual directors, Fr Paschal Morlino OSB, kneeling at the foot of the statue of St Benedict in the grotto of Subiaco. His visage filled with humble piety, love, devotion and prayer to our Holy Father St Benedict was a sight I shall not forget.
In his closing remarks the Abbot Primate indicated that there will indeed by a 4th World Congress. I would encourage you to put yourself forward without any hesitation. Only one word of caution – do not fly Alitalia; our journey home was even more adventurous than our outward journey. They too should perhaps “Listen”.
Martin Gardner & Jim Bradley
This will appear in the hard copy of the Lent Oblate Letter next year ( Fr. Martin)
2. News on our two Sponsored Seminarians.
The oblates continue to sponsor the two young Seminarians in Uganda.
The first, Dominic, is 18 years old and has just completed his third year at Junior Seminary. The second, Josaphat, is 21 and has just completed his Secondary school education. Both young men are now home in Tororo for the Christmas break.
Our contact with Tororo is through Sr. Catherine OSB at the Benedictine Priory in Tororo. In the next few weeks I expect to receive from Sr. Catherine the end of term results. If the results are good, Dominic will progress into his final year at the Junior Seminary. If Josaphat has done well then we hope that he will be accepted into the Major Seminary for 3 years of study. If all goes well and after discussion with Sr. Catherine, the Oblates will fund the young men for 2014.This is the time of year of much discussion with Sr. Catherine on what is a good sum of money to send. The Seminary send in the cost of fees, then we need to include transport + books + paper/ pens + clothing & finally put something on top for medical cover.
Please keep them all in your prayers.
( This fuller update will also go in the Lenten Oblate Letter hard copy--- Fr. Martin )
Oblate Letter 19 Autumn St John Chrysostom 2013
Oblate letter of the Pluscarden Benedictines,
Elgin, Moray, Scotland. IV30 8UA.
Ph.
(01343) 890257 fax 890258
Autumn --St John
Chrysostom-- 2013
Monastic
Voice:- Fr. Mark Hargreaves, Procurator of our Subiaco Cassinese Congregation on
"the Fr Aelred Carlyle" of our
Congregation ,Fr Pietro Casaretto.
part one:
1810-1843 (sample-for you to follow-up in past Numbers of PAX, Prinknash
Abbey's magazine.)
"Introduction
This article
began as notes taken from a collection of essays which were produced on the
occasion of the first Centenary of our Congregation in 1972 which formed the
basis of a series of talks given to the young monks of our foundation in Ghana,
Kristo Buase monastery, in the summer of 1998.
My interest in Pietro Francesco
Casaretto arose when I went to work at S. Ambrogio, Rome, (seat of the
Abbot President and his Curia) and realised that I knew almost nothing of our
past history. This is a common fault
among monks, who are more aware generally, as is only right, of the origins of
their particular monastery (e.g. Prinknash) rather than of the
Congregation to which it belongs, as a whole.
At S.Ambrogio, however, the emphasis is necessarily to the
contrary, giving those of us who live there the immense privelege of being able
to see, as it were from the centre, the beauty and diversity of an entire
religious family, with about c.1,200 monks spread over 21 countries in 65
houses, its most recently elevated Abbey as far away as Vietnam, together with
c.1,000 nuns and sisters, in 14 countries and over 40 houses, who are
"aggregated" to the monks' Congregation, while retaining their own
Constitutions and such fecundity had
to have a
starting-point. It is my belief that we
owe it to Casaretto and the early
monks of his reform movement, to study their ideas as a way of understanding
our present situation. We are what we
are, partly because of him. Such historical
research, fashionable everywhere today as a means of "finding one's
roots", takes on a particular relevance in Ghana, where much emphasis is
placed on the cult of ancestors. The classes at Kristo Buase monastery were
thus presented, from a Christian and monastic perspective, as a rediscovery of
our common "spiritual ancestry" in the persons of the 19th century
reformers.
Casaretto was a founder. Yet founders of
religious congregations are often mysterious and even difficult people. Those who, for instance, affirm the obvious
holiness of Mother Teresa of Calcutta would readily admit that she could
appear, at times, stubborn and uncompromising.
Zeal for reform and a consuming desire to make things better do not
guarantee that one will always have friends or make easy company.
Pietro Casaretto, though not a
candidate for canonisation, certainly was a man of remarkable vision and
audacity, not to say holiness. As is
written of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul's Cathedral, London, si
monumentum requiris, circumspice (if you seek his monument, look around
you). Had there been no "golden
thread" of genuine spirituality, shining through Casaretto's foibles and
blemishes, his work would not have endured and expanded, as is obviously the
case. All of us together - monks, nuns
and oblates - are his epitaph, words written by the Holy Spirit on the tablets
of the human heart.********
*******Born on
16th February 1810 in Ancona, at a time when Napoleon's troops were driving out
the religious of Rome (including the Benedictine nuns who once inhabited S.
Ambrogio) while Pope Pius VII was exiled in France, Pietro Francesco was the eldest son of
Giacomo and Maddalena Casaretto, his father, a prosperous merchant with
dealings in many countries of the Mediterranean, his mother, a strong and
generous woman of faith, without affectation (according to her son). Pietro was, from the first, a sickly
child. Very sensitive, with a tendency
towards pessimism, discouragement and scrupulosity, these difficulties of
health and temperament would, in his adult years, sometimes lead to accusations
of laxity, authoritarianism, abrupt changes of mind and a kind of moodiness,
which antagonised his enemies and made life a little strenuous for his
friends.
Nevertheless,
he must have been a man of great charm and persuasive speech. Early photographs of show him to have been
tall and handsome - and he certainly gained a number of friends in high places,
including Pope Pius IX and the King of Piedmont and Sardinia.
Showing signs of a vocation at the
age of 15, he went first to the archdiocesan seminary at Ancona but soon wanted
to join the Camaldolese at Monte Cònero.
His parents, though devoutly religious themselves, could not tolerate
the thought of their son's frail constitution languishing amid the rigours of
the monastery, and persuaded him instead to join the diocesan clergy. This phase clearly did not last long,
however, as on 11 June 1827, aged 17, he entered the Benedictine monastery of S.Maria
del Monte, near Cesena, a community which, like many others in Italy at
that time, was starting to revive after the ravages of war and expulsion during
the Napoleonic period.
The monastic observance there,
though generally good, was very much influenced by the piety of the period,
rather than by a genuine liturgical spirituality. Preferred authors for spiritual reading were
St Alphonsus together with two others now unknown, Segneri and Scupoli. We have to remember that the great
rediscovery of the Fathers of the Church and monastic authors, now considered
as standard monastic lectio,
began only in the latter part of the 19th century and is still in the process
of development. As a result, the
monastic theory and practice of Casretto's era were, to our eyes, somewhat
confused. It is worth mentioning at this point an abuse found in the monastery
which Casaretto would always strive to eradicate and which would become, in
time, a salient feature of his reform.
The difficulties of the revolutionary period, combined with a general
loss of fervour, had made it usual practice for monks of the Cassinese
Congregation to retain small sums of money from the community fund, in order to
cater for their personal needs. This
tended to get out of hand, with the result that the common life began to
suffer. Casaretto's Constitutions (1867)
would insist that the money chest of the community should have no less than
three locks, the keys of which were to be held respectively by the Prior,
Bursar and Cellarer, so that any outgoings could only be by mutual consent This must have been highly impractical, if it
was observed at all, but we should understand it in the light of the abuse
which it was designed to counteract.
The 17th August 1828 saw young
Pietro making his monastic Profession which, though called "Simple",
was for life. The practice at this time,
and indeed, right up to the appearance of the Code of Canon Law of 1917, was
for choir monks to take simple perpetual vows followed by Solemn Profession as
much as ten years later, even after priestly ordination. Solemn Vows were thus a ratification of what
had already been conscerated for ever.
Pietro
then suffered a series of characteristic illnesses. In July of the following year, 1829, he was
struck with tuberculosis and went home to Ancona for a few months. 1830 came and his health was no better. In 1831 he was sent to Pegli, to the parish
of S. Martino, at that time administered by a monk of the Cassinese
Congregation, D. Mauro Rapallo. He
managed to undertake some kind of priestly studies under his guidance, but his
intellectual formation would remain feeble throughout his life 1832 saw him
well enough to receive the Subdiaconate and Diaconate, but his health soon gave
way once more and he was forced to take refuge with his family. It appears that he was not so ill that he could
not make a trip to Constantinople with his uncle, followed by further
excursions to Palermo, in Sicily, to Rome, then back to Ancona.
Meanwhile, in the world of national
and international politics, the first stirrings of what would later be called
the Risorgimento, or movement for the unification of Italy, with its
concomitant anti-clericalism, were being felt, while the country felt itself
under pressure by turns from Austria, whose troops occupied Bologna, and
France, who occupied Ancona, both in 1832.
We can only really understand what would take place in ecclesiastical
and religious circles in the light of these commotions.
On the 22nd September 1832, at the
age of 22, Casaretto was ordained priest in Ancona, by the Cardinal
Archbishop. Mindful of his health
problems, the authorities of the Cassinese sent him to the monastery of Cava,
Salerno, towards the end of the year, but the humidity of the south did not
suit him either. It seems strange that
he was then allowed to make a trip to Algeria, as a chaplain to the French
troops, whose climate can scarcely have been more agreeable.
As with Père Jean-Baptiste Muard,
founder of the monastery of La Pierre-qui-Vire in France which was to have an
enormous influence on the future of the Congregation, Casaretto's most enduring
ideas of reform came to him during a visit to the Sacro Speco at Subiaco
(where St Benedict had lived in a cave).
The latter part of 1833 and the first half of 1834 see him ensconced
there with a growing desire for solitude
Even the
beauties of Subiaco did not suit him for long, however, and he set off
for St Paul's-outside-the-Walls in Rome, so that he could find medical
care in the City. Reading between the
lines, and with the greater psychological awareness of today, we may wonder
whether the cause of his illnesses was partly psycho-somatic. His avowed desire for solitude is
contradicted by his incessant wanderings.
We shall discover a number of such contradictions as we proceed with the
story.
Further changes
were in store as, on 17 March 1835 he was assigned to the monastery of S.
Severino in Naples. He never arrived
there, however, and, instead, decided to petition his superiors for permission
to return to his first love, the Camaldolese.
Permission was granted by the Holy See and he presented himself at Fonte
Avellana, where he was clothed again, this time in white, on 2nd June of
the same year. It will not surprise us
to learn that his health let him down again and he returned to his family at
Ancona where, in 1836, he was assigned as Spiritual Director to the
archdiocesan seminary.
History and politics intervened and,
with the coming of the plague of cholera among the French troops then in
occupation, he asked to be relieved of his seminary duties and went to serve as
hospital chaplain for several months.
This appears to have been a great success, indeed, it was one of the
"golden threads" of which we spoke earlier. There are numerous
testimonies to his devotion and competence at this time, leading eventually to
his being decorated by King Louis-Philippe of France. The autumn of 1836 saw him back at the
seminary. One can readily understand that the authorities of the Cassinese
Congregation, however sympathetic they might have wished to be towards the
young man, found him something of a problem.
It was finally thought best to petition for an indefinite exclaustration
(permission to live outside the monastery) which was granted by the Holy See on
2nd June 1837 The records of the same year give us some insight into his
devotional life, especially with regard to the Blessed Virgin. He had exposed an image of her before the
French troops in hospital and, on 8th December 1837, feast of the Immaculate
Conception, solemnly consecrated himself to her, a practice which would later
be repeated annually by his disciples and is still carried out in many Subiaco
houses, including Prinknash. This
fervour of devotion would go hand in hand with a rather minimal monastic
observance on his part. We know that in
1842, his spiritual director, Canon Ubaldo Marini, renewed for life the various
dispensations he had already received on account of his health, namely, he was never
to fast, not even in Lent (something which was then obligatory even for lay
Catholics) and he need only recite the hours of Prime and Compline from the
Divine Office. In later years his
enemies would seize on these and other points as evidence of his supposedly
dissolute life
It was in this same year, 1837, that
Casaretto obtained permission to go and live in a little old sanctuary called La
Madonna di Portonovo, near Ancona, where he spent his time in prayer and
pastoral ministry towards the local peasant population and fishermen. Judging
by his previous pastoral experiments, one imagines that this was a
success. He certainly appears to have been
happy and the next few years would be a time of relative stability for
him. In 1841, he was joined by a priest
and a lay man who, it seems, did not remain very long.
But the peace was not to last and
the Cassinese had not forgotten about their wandering monk. On the 10th March 1842, the Procurator
General, Benedetto Tomasetti, sent Casaretto a letter, asking him to be ready
to leave his beloved solitude of Portonovo and return to the parish at Pegli,
where Rapallo, by now an old man, was looking for a replacement. We now see a
characteristic move on Casaretto's part, who always knew how to seize a moment
and use it to the advantage of his own projects. Instead of accepting the request tout
court, he prepared a "memorial", addressed to the Holy Father and
his superiors in which he states that he is willing to accept on condition
that he is not left isolated from his brethren and that a "true
Benedictine community with the entire observance of the Rule" be set up at
Pegli. It would not be too much
to say that he knew his request would find all the more favour in the eyes of
the authorities since Rapallo's style of life, as a isolated monk in a parish
situation, had latterly been the cause of some complaintand the spirit of the
Cassinese was very much set towards the restoration of the glories of its past
monasteries. A certain contradiction
can also be seen here. Casaretto had, of his own volition, isolated himself at Portonovo
and appeared to be happy with it, yet now he wants a community life which, up
to now, he had not been able to live for any length of time.
The young man got his way and the
superiors apparently gave their approbation, although the documents are not now
available to us. At any rate, Casaretto set out to see his new project on 12th
June 1842, passing through Forlì, Florence, Livorno and Genoa. This last would be the scene of a
particularly important meeting between him and the then General of the Jesuits,
Fr Johannes Roothaan, who from that point on held a high opinion of him and
supported him in various ways The Archbishop
of Genoa, possibly influenced by the General's approval, gave his consent to
the new foundation and Casaretto made his way to the Minister for External
Affairs of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia, Count Solaro della Margherita,
and eventually, to King Charles Albert himself, who gladly gave his approval,
monastic reform in his realm being very much according to his wishes. Soon the necessary rescripts from the Sacred
Congregation for Bishops and Religious and the Abbot President were obtained
and, on 20th January 1843, Casaretto and the ex-novice master of Subiaco, D.
Raffaele Testa having only a few coins in their pockets, arrived at Pegli, to
take possession of the parish and monastery, and were received warmly by the
local populace.
On 25th January, the "primitive
observance" began. +PAX
From The Oblatemaster’s Desk :-
As for the exorcism of individual souls so it is one could say by transference
and extension and by analogy of whole societies and peoples and of the present
ills of society and of humanity as a whole. The Church as a whole as it is in
heaven is perfect and perfected, while on earth it is wounded, striving and
imperfect. Even as wounded and imperfect it must strive against the ills of the
time especially in their institutionalised forms—like attempts to pervert law,
to destroy innocent life, or destroy and pervert marriage as the basis of
society.
As with
individual exorcisms so predictably (though it surprises some) when the Church
confronts institutionalised evil, like rebuking the attempted perversion of law
(law of course cannot be perverted—a false or unjust law, as Tertullian said, is
not a law)—When the Church rebukes the perversion of law then predictably the devil replies in a
parallel fashion except now the devil has a slightly larger armoury than with
an individual exorcism. The devil can cast up institutionalised imperfections
and failures of the Church at large and in addition each and all the sins of any of the "faithful"
individually or taken together. Only the Church in heaven, the Sacraments and
prayer can stand against this. Only Christ can stand against this vastly
improved armoury. We see the truth of this in our own country today as the
Church confronts the falsification of law on marriage and the devil replies not
only by attacks on the Body of Christ of the Church as a whole but through the
sins and failures of each of the faithful singling out of course the most
heinous. Nevertheless this proves that the Church as “exorcist” of society like
the exorcist of the individual, is doing her God-given job, to advance the
Kingdom of God.
The Church should not expect peace on earth
while she strives for perfection however seemingly ineffectually. If the Church
on earth enjoyed peace it would be because she had given up the struggle and
ceased to be the Church.
Even
the devout and quiet and assiduous seeking of God apart from the world
necessarily involves this spiritual warfare and confrontation of the powers and
principalities on high
.
We are
recently returned from our heaven-blessed, Oblate pilgrimage to Caldey Island
in Wales where our monastic community
began its pilgrimage. There you find a beautiful island and beautiful Abbey and
ideal setting for contemplative peace. This peace our forebears gave up.
A hundred years ago was the fateful
meeting where most of the Caldey community decided to become Catholics which
led to their loss of the peace of the contemplative haven of their Abbey on
Caldey Island ,that Abbey and Island that had cost them such effort to
establish!
We are
in the 100th anniversary of their sacrifice in response to God’s
call, a sacrifice that has given our brethren at Prinknash their peace and
given us our peace here at Pluscarden. Their warfare has given us our peace.
Their entrance by the narrow door has led us into our way at Pluscarden.
Or again there is the present-day
story of the 12 sisters who were Anglicans until recently and temporarily
housed at Ryde Abbey, Isle of Wight after “converting” to the Ordinariate. They too have chosen the stormy, "Caldey
path" to peace, the narrow door to the way which still continues bravely
on in hope as they have just left Ryde Abbey for their new home in Birmingham.
Yes
my dear sisters and brothers let us not be fair-weather sailors or again to
change the image, as soldiers of Christ let us not be surprised when the
bullets fly! ( Alarmed, perhaps! Surprised, no!) If all were quiet for us on
the Western spiritual front then as disciples of Christ we should have to be
worried and ask ourselves in consternation, “Have I entered into God’s
peace and entered by the narrow door or entered into the false peace of
surrender to the world?" St John
Chrysostom ( September 13th) stood out for the truth and died in exile.—In the
words of prayer we plead “Graciously
sustain us that in all things we may please You, Lord and not the
world!” AMEN. May the Lord grant that it may be so!
Announcement: There is to be a weekend OBLATE RETREAT
at Pluscarden, probably next Lent. Please let me know as soon as possible if
you are interested 2014.
Prayer Intentions :- For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's
intentions. For vocations at Pluscarden. For Br. Ben
our new pre-postulant. For Br. Martin
Junior here for his studies from Kristo
Buase, Br. Finber. health. St Mary's, Petersham & Kristo Buase. For the
repose of thec souls of Fr. Amrose’s mother, Mary Flavell, and of Oblate Jean
Boylan.Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr.
Dunstan’s parents, failing . Our new Oblates: John
Ignatius of Loyola Wilson & Georgina Mary McKillop Quinn. We pray for the new
Dominican Sisters in Elgin. Please pray for sick
Oblates especially for Sarah Drever’s husband Leslie, Brigitte Mackay awaiting
heart surgery, Mrs Maggie Barrett recovering from heart surgery, Paul Miller
90's and hernia, Margaret Rawcliffe, Mrs. Gertrude Corker’s two daughters, for Bob Barr, Brian Milne, Mary
Buist, Gail
Schmitz and her son Julian, recovering from kidney transplants, Maurice
Dufficy, Mary Bradley, Graham Dunbar, Pauline Reid, Beth Fraser & her
husband Chris, Marie Claire Hérnandez, Bob
Clark(poorly), Nick Macrae’s son, Martin Macrae and wife Sharon, kidney
transplants, Dr.David Paterson & his wife Angela, Jacqui’s daughter, Sally,
Deacon William Joss, Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie, Carolyn Boardman & son
Malcolm, Val Farrelly, David Braine, philosopher, Susan Stephen and all friends
of the Abbey and for all oblates, friends and all the sick, and those who care
for them.
Ugandan Seminarian appeal for Sponsors.
The Oblates currently sponsor two Ugandan
Seminarians for the Priesthood. The first Seminarian, Dominic, is in his third
of four years at the Junior Seminary. His funding is secure for 2014 and into
the future as the Oblates have committed to sponsor him.
The second Seminarian, Josaphat, has funding
only up until the end of 2013. It is hoped that in January 2014 he will go to
the Major Seminary for 3 years of Philosophy & Theology. Presently there is
limited funding for Josaphat thanks to
further sponsorship.
I am therefore repeating my appeal for
further sponsors for 20 year old Josaphat for 2014 and onwards in the form of
“one off donations” or preferably small monthly standing orders. Please also
remember them both in your prayers.
For
further detail or clarification please contact me, Paul Costello at:-
4, Commercial Road, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41
9BD.
Phone: - 01358-721512 or Mobile:- 07762-432080
Events -----
There is to be another pilgrimage for the
100th Anniversaryof the Conversion on Caldey next month,16th -19th October (
18th is St Luke the "Homecoming" day!)-- this time a monastic
pilgrimage-- please pray for the success
of this. Some of you contributed for a stone statue gift for the Abbey
there. It is to be of St Aelred of Rievaulx ( Cistercian & hero of the
Caldey monks) and it will probably be handed over then (if it is ready!)Abbot
Anselm will be there, please God.
The Next Oblate Congress near Rome is October 10th to the 14th 2013. UK monasteries have been allocated 13 places
at the World Congress of Oblates in Rome 10-14 October 2013 where the theme is
“'Obsculta' ( first word of the Rule) - the Oblate listening in the World”. Martin
Gardner and Jim Bradley are representing
Pluscarden. Thank you both.
BOOKS and Media :- The community magazine Pluscarden Benedictines:
Contact The Editor Fr. Bede to go on the mailing list at the Abbey.--£5. Caldey
DVD-donation to Pluscarden, as before please & apply for your copy from
Martin Gardner, martin@guardair.co.uk. Post:- Dunmoir, 18, Gurney St.,
Stonehaven,AB39 2EB.
"The Caldey Conversion"--A contemporary
Chronicle. Pluscarden Publications--£6 +p.and p. from
our bookshop. Original sources- highly recommended.
Highly recommended: books by
Fr. Aelred Baker, the expert who knew 6 of the original community "The
Flood-Gates of Memory"--The life of Abbot Aelred Carlyle and
Community.--THe Eyre Press--Leatherhead. "All those Years in
Exile"--The Life of Abbot Aelred Carlyle and his Community" "
Abbot Aelred Carlyle"--The Diffiicuties in Writing his Life. "From
Poverty to Prinknash" --A History of the Community at Prinknash Part !:
1896-1913. Some of these may be available from Prinknash Abbey.
All the books
by Peter Anson too may be recommnended
(who was "there")-- but some are acknowledged to lack balance.
"Abbot
Aelred Carlyle, Caldey Island, and the Anglo-Catholic Revival in England"
by American monk Rene Kollar--Published by Peter Lang ISBN 0-8204-2469-2--quite
a good bibloigraphy-- but not as close to the sources as the above.
Meetings of Oblate Groups:-
St.
Peter’s Chapter Aberdeen. St.Peter’s Chapter Oblates Group Having a sabbatical
while Brian Milne recovers his health
---please pray).
St Mary’s Chapter Dundee. Dates
as announced, at St. Mary’s High Street, Lochee, Dundee. -------information
from St Mary’s
St. Monica’s Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane
Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone
01847 851467
St Mungo’s Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell
Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP. Phone:0141
4272084.
INTERMONASTIC EXCHANGE PRINKNASH/PLUSCARDEN 12 -14 JULY
2014 (draft)
Time? Oblates
arrive where Collection by
Stephen/Pam?
11ish Oblates
arrive at Brownshill and settle
in
12.30pm Lunch
at Brownshill
2pm Minibus
leaves Brownshill for Gloucester
Cathedral
2.55pm Meet
Frs Stephen and Martin McC outside
Cathedral
3pm Tour
of Gloucester Cathedral
Minibus
returns to Brownshill
6pm Vespers
at Brownshill
6.30pm Supper
at Brownshill
8.15pm Vigils
Sunday
13.7.14
7.15am Lauds
8.00am Breakfast
9.00am Minibus
leaves Brownshill for Prinknash
10.30am Conventual
Mass/Oblate Annual Gathering
12.30pm Sext
12.40pm Buffet Lunch in the Monastic Refectory/garden
|
Prinknash Abbey
|
3.50pm None
4.00pm Tea
4.30pm Vespers and Benediction
5pm Return to Brownshill
6.30pm Supper
8.15pm Vigils
Monday 14.7.14
6.30am Lauds
8.20am Terce followed by Mass
10.00am Farewell Brownshill
Minibus to Prinknash
12.30pm Mid-day Office
Lunch in Conference Centre
2.30pm Presentation in Conference Centre by
Frs Martin/Stephen followed by presentation by Pluscarden
Oblates
4.45pm Minibus leaves Prinknash?
Time Farewell ….
Booking
form Send
to: Mrs. Pamela Morey, 6, Cotteswold
House, Gloucester St., CIRENCESTER, GL7 2DC
pam@pamelamorey.net
----------------------(Cut and send or copy/photocopy and send
please)------------Name ………………………………………………………
Address
…………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………..
E.mail address …………………………………………
Tel. Number ……………………………………………
I wish to occupy a single room
…………………
I wish to share a twin bedded
room with ………………………………………………………………
I shall be arriving at:
Birmingham Airport/Gloucester Railway Station/Gloucester Bus Station
Time ………………………………………………………
The
suggested offering for the weekend accommodation at Brownshill Monastery
------------------------------------------------------------
Brownshill
has 14 rooms :
5 are twin
bedded
Please
cut, copy or photocopy & return
RENEWAL
OF OBLATION OR INTENTION TO MAKE FINAL OBLATION AUTUMN 2013Oblates normally renew their promises on or about 21
November, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lady. Please indicate your
desire to continue living according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict,
in union with the monastic family of Pluscarden Abbey, by signing this form and
returning it to the Oblate Master, Pluscarden Abbey.Delete as appropriate
(Either)For Oblates ( delete part 2) parts 1 and 3(Friends simple delete all of parts 1 and 2!--go to part 3.
please)
1."Peace. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
I renew my oblation and I offer myself to
Almighty God, as an Oblate of the monastery of Our Lady and St John the
Baptist, in the valley of St Andrew at Pluscarden. I promise, before God and
all the saints, the conversion of my life, in the spirit of the Rule of our
holy Father St. Benedict, according to the statutes of the oblates, and in
union with the Pluscarden community.”or For
postulant or novice Oblates delete part 1. & fill in 2 and 3 , please
2."I desire and intend to make my final oblation, offering
myself to God according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict, in union
with the monastic community at Pluscarden."
3.
SIGNED:
-----------------------------------------------------------DATE----------------------------------BLOCK CAPITALS(surname)-------------------------------(Christian
name)-----------------------------ADDRESS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TOWN--------------------------------------POSTCODE---------------------------------- PHONE----------------------------------------------------------MOBILE-----------------------------EMAIL----------------------------@-------------------------
LOVE and BLESSINGS.,
MAY THE LORD FILL OUR AUTUMN WITH
THANKFULNESS!
YOURS IN CHRIST and SPNB,
fR.Martin