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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 20th August
2012 to 20th August 2013. We invite you to join us with
this prayer:
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Most gracious Father,
in setting up the New Monastery
our 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.
