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MARCH 2009 Sunday 1 March – After Lauds, in chapter, according to ancient custom, as special
chapter to inaugurate our Lenten observance of reading, prayer, silence and moderation. We had a sharing on the chapters of
the Rule of Saint Benedict that deal with this topic and each one presented the book he had chosen for Lenten Reading.
The Abbot set forward the programme we had discussed on Friday. We will have reading at supper Monday
to Friday, chapter on Saturday evening only. There will be a moment of recollection at the end of the Divine
Office before we disperse. The order of service in the refectory will be reversed, so that the juniors
will serve themselves before the seniors. |
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Monday 23 – The Abbot announced that he was admitting Erik Towne as a postulant
from tomorrow. He had spent a month with us reflecting on his vocation. He really had
no need to return home, once he had decided he wanted to continue, and, given the distance – his is from Texas –
he opted to continue straight into the postulancy. His entry brings our number up to 10. Wednesday 25 – Solemnity of the Annunciation. 6th anniversary of Dom Bede’s
abbatial blessing. The first-fruits of Fr. Innocent’s endeavours in the pottery were put on sale in the shop. 16.30
meeting of the formation committee. Thursday 26 – The weather
is warming up. The snow has begun to melt. There is rather a lot that still has to thaw. Saturday 28 – At 7 pm we had a singing class conducted by Br. Stephan, teaching
us how to sing the psalms in English. It went very smoothly. Sunday
29 – 5th Sunday of Lent. Father Graham presided the Mass and preached. In
reception we were kept busy selling Fr. Innocent’s pots. Monday 30 – A huge snowstorm, 30 cm. We hope this is the
last. Tuesday 31 – Michael Galante, an applicant who has been
in contact for quite some time, came from Las Vegas, Nevada for a couple of weeks, including, particularly, Holy Week. Michael
already came to see us in January 2007. He is 46 years of age. Fr. Graham, the novice
master, went to pick him up at Moncton airport. |
Monday 2 – Fr. Clovis is away until 6th. I have to stand in for
him for the Mass for the sisters. Tuesday 3 – In the refectory we are reading:
“The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance in the Twentieth Century – from 1892 to the end of the Second Vatican
Council.” It is interesting to hear the history of the great abbots that we heard about at the beginning
of our religious life. At the moment we are onto Dom Alexis Presse, who had a rather eventful life. Thursday 5 – For the first week of Lent, the guest-house is pretty well full: several ladies, a parish
priest, 2 permanent deacons, a pastor, an oblate, and a few others. Friday 6 –
At 7 pm we had our monthly community discussion. The principal topic that emerged was the fittingness of
having, sooner rather than later, a greater use of English in our liturgy. We have not had any French-speaking
postulants enter for a number of years. In fact, nearly all the candidates asking to enter are English-speakers.
The continued existence of the community must be put before the continued use of the French language. There
will be further consultation on this point. Sunday 8 – 2nd Sunday of Lent.
It was my turn to preside the Eucharist and give the homily.
Monday 16 – Yesterday evening we had our chapter on bilingualism and our community life.
We already function bilingually to some extent. Recently we had a dialogue and took a vote in favour
of moving in the direction of increasing the quantity of English. There is no intention of turning our community into an English-speaking monastery.
The principle is that we are bilingual. This results from our geographical situation.
New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada. Bilingualism means that the two
languages will always have their proper place. Further the meaning of bilingualism seems to be that all
can make themselves understood in their own language. This supposes that everyone will make an effort to
learn the other’s language. This enters neatly into our monastic endeavour: “Not to do what
is good for oneself, but rather what is good for another.” At the Divine Office, we already have as a principle that each person reading
a passage solo can do it in his own language. In addition, we are now going to have 2 of the e read psalms
at Vigils in English. We will also have the psalms of Sext in English. However, for
this we will have to wait until the Abbot prepares a booklet and we get some singing classes to practice singing in English.
This is on the way and everything else will follow! Thursday 19 – Solemnity
of Saint Joseph. Brother Stephan’s anniversary of profession. We had a festive
dinner with talking and the company of our special retreatant, Joseph. Sunday 22 –
The 4th Sunday of Lent already. Laetare Jerusalem! |
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