Abbey News
Sunday, May 30, 2010
TRINITY SUNDAY
Be near us, Holy Trinity,
One Majesty, One Deity.
All things that are
on you depend:
You are beginning
without end.
1st stanza
Vespers hymn
|
Our homilist for today, Fr. Gerard, began by empathizing with those who say that Holy Trinity is a preachers' nightmare and then went on to give an excellent mini-treatise on the Holy Trinity. If you'd like a refresher course on today's feast you'll find it at Trinity Sunday homily.
Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday, May 26th marked the 59th anniversary of our Abbey's Foundation. A large foundation cross usually accompanies the founders of a community to their new site and is subsequently kept in a prominent place. Our original foundation cross has gotten lost and/or destroyed over the years and can no longer be found.
Using a photograph of the original our local craftsmen and artists set to work making a to scale replica of the cross. It is now hanging in our chapter room where it was blessed on the day of the anniversary during the office of Terce. The brethren took the occasion to renew their vows as part of the ceremony.
The original inscription is in Latin and translates, more or less, as follows:
U.I.O.G.D. - Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus: That In All Things God May Be Glorified.
Along the crossbeam: Foundation of the Monastery of Blessed Mary of the Genesee.
Down the center: 26 May, 1951. Serve the Lord with joy.
Mute Organ
Guests and retreatants of our community this week noticed the absence of organ accompaniment for our liturgy. The reason is that our organist, Fr. Justin, has been visiting our community of Our Lady of Joy in Lanto, Hong Kong, giving conferences in his area of expertise, Cistercian liturgy. While we missed the organ we surprised ourselves how well we were able to carry on a cappella. At least for the chanting of the psalms during the Liturgy of the Hours. Some of the hymns for Mass are a different story but we need not go into that. We look forward to his return on Thursday.
Retreating
As Fr. Justin returns Br. Paul will be leaving for our mother house, Gethsemani, for two weeks of retreat. He needs a break from all the recent activity involved in the on-line store that is all but impossible to come by here. Also, he needs some quiet time to fortify himself for the work ahead planning the proposed expansion of the on-line store.
Speaking of retreating we were happy to receive a fellow student of Br. Isaac's from the Dominican House of Studies, Fr. Jonah, OP, with us on retreat this past week. Newly ordained he begins parish ministry shortly.
Home At Last
On Friday our good Br. Christian returned from his hospitalization for a hip replacement. Coming into the refectory for dinner sporting a shiny new walker he received a rousing welcome from the brethren. While still moving slowly and laboriously about he manages to flash his bright smile and seems to rather relish the attention he is receiving these days.
Of Gods and Men
Friends of ours pointed out to us that during the recent Cannes Film Festival the film about our Trappist martyrs of Our Lady of Atlas in Algeria not only got rave reviews but came in 2nd place. Unfortunately for many of us the film is in French. It seems that eventually the film will be available on DVD with English subtitles. If any of you happens to find it before we do let us know so we can spread the word around. Meanwhile, there is a clip on Youtube with subtitles at: Of Gods and Men.
|
