Dom Donald's Blog: Father Donald's Golden Jubilee

Wednesday, 24 June 2009

Father Donald's Golden Jubilee

In case he is too shy to tell you himself, I interrupt this broadcast to tell you that today, St John's Day, was Father Donald's Golden Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood. Conventual Mass at 11 in the Abbey was followed by a very pleasant lunch in the Guest House. Despite the short notice a reasonable crowd of family and friends turned up, including of course, his brother, Father Nivard, whose own Golden Jubilee is next month, and four of their five sisters - Noreen, Mary, Patricia and Josephine. Ad multos laetissimos annos.

Liam

2 comments:

William said...: Wishing Father Donald every joy in lifelong celebration, with warmest congratulations and prayers of thanksgiving,

William; 25 June 2009 at 20:48
Anonymous said...: Congratulations Fr. Donald on your 50th anniversary! I was honoured to share in this celebration with you. Fr. Mark Morris.; 27 June 2009 at 16:50

Bernard 900 at Citeaux

O.C.S.O. Order of Cistercians
of the the Strict Observance

Vocations Year 2012-2013

The ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux

Monday, 06 August 2012

On the occasion of the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux, Dom Olivier, abbot of Cîteaux, has asked us to pass on the following invitation to all the members of the Order:

Our community is going to celebrate the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entering Cîteaux (1112 or 1113?). To mark the event, we are setting up a campaign of prayer for vocations, from 20^th August 2012 to 20^th August 2013. We invite you to join us with this prayer:

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Most gracious Father,
in setting up the New Monasteryour fathers followed the poor Christ into the desert.
Thus they lived the Gospel
by rediscovering the Rule of Saint Benedict in its purity.

You gave Bernard of Fontaine
the ability to make this new life attractive and appealing to others,
in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Grant that we today, after their example,
may live our charism deeply
in a spirit of peace, unity, humility,
and above all, in the charity which surpasses all other gifts.
May men and women of our time
be newly called to follow the Gospel in monastic life,
in the service of the Church’s mission,
and in a world forgetful of You.

Remember Lord, Cîteaux,

where Bernard arrived with his companions.
May the brothers there
continue to live in the enthusiastic and generative spirit of the founders.

Remember all who live the Cistercian charism.

Remember all Cistercian communities,
those which are aging and those newly-born,
in all parts of the world, north and south, east and west.

Let them not lose courage in times of trial,
but turn to her whom Bernard called the Star of the Sea.

Holy Father,
from whom we have already received so much,
grant us again your blessing
that our communities may grow in numbers,
but above all in grace and in wisdom,
to your glory,
who are blessed for ever and ever.

Amen.

900 years, anniversary

Bernard arrived 1112-1113

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_bartolomeo_02_Vision_of_St_Bernard_with_Sts_Benedict_and_John_the_Evangelist.jpg