Patronal Feast

Hi Folks,

Yes, its me again! Today it’s the Feast of The Annunciation, and that is Our Patronal Feast….in other words we are known as The Monastery of Good Hope (as well as Colwich Abbey or St. Mary’s), because it was Our Blessed Lady who brought the ‘Good Hope’ to life, as by Mary’s YES we are able to attain everything, through her Son – Our Blessed Lord (sorry the wording isn’t quite right but its the best i can do in a hurry!). We had such a wonderful reading at midday office and – once again i thought i’d share it with you -. It is one from Bishop David Konstant and here it is:

‘What a frightening invitation to become mother of such a child. One can imagine the sudden clutch of fear….. the puzzelment…..the anxiety about the future. Surely he doesn’t really mean me? But in a moment the fears are stilled, and all is seen to be possible. ‘Be it done to me according to your word’. 

What is my annunciation? When has God sent his angel to me to announce his good news? And how have i reacted to the promises he has made to me? God’d messengers do come to me; they tell me that i’m highly favoured….much graced and blessed…with much fruit to bear…and they tell me too that the Lord is with me. But often i do not recognise God’s friends, because their words are so demanding, and i am afaid. Everyone is blessed by God…he has no favourites. God is with all his people…each one unique…every person special. Do not be afraid….he says tome, ‘for i have redemed you…i have called you by your name and you are mine’.

I have been called by God todo him some definate service. I have a vocation to become what he calls me to be. If i am to ever answer this call i must learn to say, ‘YES…let it be done…let it be done….let it be done to me according to your word’. I must let fo of fear, of a sense of inadequacy, of selfishness and pride, of wanting to have everything planned before i make a move. Then i may learn to trust in God; who is Father, friend, tremendous lover; who knows what i can do, and to whom nothing is impossible.

Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

I hope that you like this reading too, it is so beautiful – don’t you think? By the way keep your eyes open in the next few weeks as i will be posting the details of the next come and see weekend – at long last! Got some great talks lined up.

God bless

Sr. D

x   

 

Holy Rule – CH 64

Hello again,

I’m going to bore you stiff with another short selection from the Holy Rule of St. Benedict! To continue with the Abbot/Abbess i’ve chosen Ch 64 as it is all about the ‘APPOINTMENT OF THE ABBOT/ABBESS’. Again it is a few and varied lines from the chapter:

In the appointment of the Abbot/Abbess this principle must always be kept in view, that he be made abbot whom the whole community with one accord chooses in the fear of God…..it is for the merit of his life and for his learning in wisdom that a man should be chosen for this appointment, even though he be the last in order in the community. The newly appointed Abbot/Abbess must be ever thinking what a burden he has undertaken, and to whom he will have to render an account of his stewardship. He ought therefore to be learned in the divine law, so that he may know it well and have a store from which to bring out new things and old. Above  all let him keep this Rule of ours thoroughly, so that when he has fulfilled his office well he may hear from the Lord what the good servant heard, who gave his fellow-servants their wheat in good season: ‘Amen I say to you, he has set him over all his goods’ (Mt24).

Incidently, the Rule of Benedict has a wide selection of scripture quotes as its foundation. There is also a good translation out for lay people called , ‘Work and Prayer – The Rule of St. Benedict for lay people’, by Dom Columba Cary Elwes and Dame Catherine Wybourne, published by Burns & Oates.

Rule of Benedict: CH2

Hi, I wasn’t going to do much here and now due to what is going on at the present moment, but i have been encouraged to do so. So here are a few lines taken from Ch 2 of the rule which is very topical at the moment, and as its appropriate i thought it would be good to give those of you who know nothing of St. Benedict’s Rule, a brief insight to what he wrote. Of course there are many different translations around but this is of one that we use all the time:

Rule of St. Benedict – Chapter 2

WHAT AN ABBOT (ABBESS) SHOULD BE LIKE:

An abbot who is worth to rule over a monastery ought always to remember what he is called and live up to the name of Superior in what he does. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery. So the abbot ought not to teach or to make laws or to give commands that are outside the commandments of the Lord, but his ordering and his teaching should be sprinkled on the hearts of his disciples like a leaven of divine holiness. When therefore a man takes on himself the name of abbot, he ought to give the lead to his disciples by two kinds of teaching, showing them all that is good and holy  by deeds rather than by words. Therefore let the abbot have an equal love for all, and let discipline be impartial for all according to their deserts.

A Quick Upadate!

Hello!

This is just a quick update to say that i won’t be doing too much on the Blog over the next few weeks are we are busy and more to the point because we are in preparation for the forthcoming events. However i will still be occassionally checking for comments so ‘please’ don’t stop them coming….

On Wed/Thurs (10th/11th) – we are having a couple of talks…..

However, i wondered if any of you would like to join us ‘spiritually’ or make a Novena for our intentions for our abbatial election (which is creeping up all too fast) – if so we are singing the ‘Veni Creator’ everyday at Midday: The words of that Hymn (in case you don’t know it) are: 

Come Holy Ghost, creator come, from thy bright heavenly throne, Come take possession of our souls and make them all thy own.

Thou who art called the Paraclete, best gift of God above, The living spring the living fire, sweet unction and true love.

Thou who art sev’nfold in thy grace, finger of God’s right hand, his promise, teaching little ones, to speak and understand.

O guide our minds with thy blest light, with love our hearts inflame, and with thy strength which ne’er decays, confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our deadly foe, true peace unto us bring, and through all perils lead us safe, beneath thy Sacred wing.

Through thee may we the Father know, through thee th’ eternal Son, and thee the Spirit of them both, thrice blessed three in one.

All glory to the Father be, with his co-equal Son, the same to thee great Paraclete, while endless ages run.

There is also this Novena prayer to ST. Joseph if you’d like to say that (but i’m not pressurising you):

Almighty God, you have chosenSaint Joseph to be the mainstay of Jesus and Mary, the wise and faithful servant in whom they could trust. We pray that he may truly be the guardian of your Church; that he may inspire with confidence those who are devoted to him; that he may give security to those who work in the vineyard of Your Son; and finally, that he may be a source of strength to us, who wish, like him, to didicate ourselves to Christ’s service, now and in times to come. AMEN.

Thank you all for your love and support and prayers…..

Sr. D

x

ps…..THE TALKS WERE FAB! AND AN ABSOLUTE HELP TO ALL OF US……

WILL DO A SMALL POST SOON ON A CHAPTER OF THE HOLY RULE…..