Saint Scholastic 10 February. Sr. Concordia died 5th Feb 2014

Saint Scholastica

Monday, 10 February, Benedictines celebrate the admirable life of Saint Scholastica of Nursia. Her twin brother, Saint Benedict, is the Patriarch of Western Monasticism.

"Whether or not the great Patriarch established a nunnery, it is certain that in a short time he was looked upon as a guide and father to the many convents already existing. His rule was almost universally adopted by them, and with it the title Abbess came into general use to designate the superior of a convent of nuns" (Cath. Encyclopedia).

Pope Saint Gregory, in Chapter 33 of Book II of his Dialogues, tells the story of the last meeting between the two siblings. He uses it to teach a lesson in the efficacy of prayer and the primacy of love. The visit Benedict made to his sister suggests that their monasteries were not far distant. Such has remained the pattern, and many Brother/Sister monasteries are geographically close. Through collaboration in the apostolate and in prayer, men and women Benedictines support each other in fidelity to the Holy Rule.

In the next chapter of the Dialogues, Gregory recounts how three days later Benedict, "lifting up his eyes to heaven, beheld the soul of his sister that had departed her body ascend into heaven in the likeness of a dove." He gave orders that they both should be buried at Monte Cassino. Saint Benedict was soon thereafter laid to rest beside her in the crypt of Monte Cassino Abbey. "As their souls had always been one in God while they lived, so their bodies continued together after their deaths."

  http://www.osb.org/new/current.html 

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PAX

Minster Abbey Ramsgate     

Please pray for the repose of the soul of our dear 

Sister Maria Anna Concordia (Caroline) Scott OSB

who died peacefully, fortified by the Rites of the Holy Church

on the Feast of St. Agatha, 5th February 2014

in her 90th year

and the 59th year of her Monastic Profession.

SAINT BENEDICT

“Father of Europe”

Sculpted by

Sr. Concordia Scott O.S.B.

Minster Abbey  1980.

Note from Sr. Concordia, March 1980,
to Abbot at Nunraw.

The medallion on St. Benededict’s neck is the symbol for European Unity

-        - 12 stars around the cross - . 

A very happy Feastday to you and good community on 21st March

Yours in Christ

           Sr. Concordia Scott O.S.B

Community Monthly Memorial of the Dead

Friday 7th February 2014

A READING

ABOUT THE DEATH OF A 12th.CENTURY MONK OF CLAIRVAUX.

There lived in the monastery of Clairvaux a monk called Alquirin who was skilled in the art of medicine, and so nobles and great men of that region were always asking his help and drawing him, unwilling and resisting, to

many places. Yet he was always solicitous about the poor and needy and would go to any lengths to cure them. Not only did he treat their sicknesses and

and wounds, but he tended with his own hands their putrid flesh and ulcered limbs with such care that it was as if he were caring for the wounds of Christ. And this really was so, he did everything for Christ, and Christ received eve­rything he did as being done for him, so that at the end he could say to him what was said of those who do works of mercy, ‘I was sick and you visited me’.

Having lived his life this praiseworthy manner, the time came when he would receive in eternity the reward of his labours and his works of mercy, and he fell ill and neared his end. His Abbot came to visit him, and asked him what he was doing and how he was. He replied, 'My Father all is very well with me, because I am going to my Lord.' The Abbot asked him: 'But are you not suffering in body and do you not fear the agony of death? The monk replied, , I look upon it all with tranquillity and joy, because I have received beforehand from the Lord the blessings of sweetness, and that has taken all sorrow from my heart and nearly all pain from my body.' Then the Abbot asked him, ‘I beg you, my dear brother, for the love of God and for our edification , tell us anything that God has revealed to you.' To which he replied, 'Before you came in, I saw, miserable and unworthy though I am, the Lord Jesus who looked at me with a kind and serene expression and showed me the marks of his Passion, saying, "Lo your sins are taken away from before my face, Come and kiss my wounds which you have tended so often." I was so strengthened by this promise that I do not now fear to die.'

(from an article in the Fairacres Chronicle Spring 1984.

The Death of the Saints in some 12th Century Sources by Sister Benedicta Ward).

The Death of Dom Ambrose (90) R.I.P Saturday 24 August 2013

Funeral rites for Dom Ambrose

Tuesday, 27 August 2013 17:16

Funeral rites for DOM AMBROSE SOUTHEY

Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

from 1974 to 1990

We are advised that the funeral Mass for Dom Ambrose will be celebrated at the monastery of Mount Saint Bernard this Thursday, 29 August, at 11.00 a.m. The Mass will be presided by Mgr Malcolm McMahon, O.P., Bishop of the diocese of Nottingham (Great Britain), in the presence of Dom Eamon Fitzgerald, Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.

All Trappist communities are especially united in prayer with the brothers of Mount St Bernard, to bid a last adieu to one who devoted himself for so many years to the service of the brothers and sisters of the Order.

The Death of Dom Ambrose

Saturday, 24 August 2013 16:34

THE DEATH OF DOM AMBROSE SOUTHEY

 Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

 1974 to 1990

  D. Ambrose

In the late morning of August 24, 2013, Dom Ambrose Southey died.

Dom Ambrose was born in Whitley Bay (Great Britain). He entered Mount Saint Bernard in 1940 and made solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1948.

He studied Canon Law in Rome from 1951 until 1953. He was named Prior of Mount Saint Bernard and elected abbot of that Community, 9 July, 1959.

He was elected Abbot General of the Order May 7, 1974, and remained in office until the General Chapter of 1990. During that Chapter Dom Ambrose presented his resignation from the ministry of Abbot General.

Later he was named Superior ad nutum of Bamenda Abbey (Cameroun) which he served from 1993 until 1996, and Superior ad nutum of Scourmont Abbey (Belgium) 1996 until 1998. Dom Ambrose later accepted the ministry of Chaplain for the Community of Vitorchiano and remained there until he returned definitively to his community of Stability, Mount Saint Bernard.

He was 90 years old, had been in monastic life for 71 years and 64 years a priest when the Lord called him.

Dom Ambrose is remembered for his generous personal service to all our Communities and his interest in developing the Constitutions of the Order.

    
 D. Ambrose - 2013

(Letters of Dom Ambrose)

1.  

      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mount-St-Bernard-Abbey/120322257677  

   
   
   

   Mount St. Bernard Abbey

   3 hours ago

   We are very sorry to announce the death of Dom Ambrose, who died this morning. He was a very dear member of our community: one-time abbot, as well as Abbot General of the OCSO between 1974 and 1990. He was 90 years old. Please pray for him. You can read more about him on the Order's website:
   http://www.ocso.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=655%3Adeces-de-dom-ambrose&catid=37%3Ageneral-news&Itemid=77&lang=en

Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, RIP

Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, RIP

Thanks to:

 

Paul Zalonski

  on April 27, 2013 

Father Kevin Seasoltz OSB died early today, 27 April 2013, atSaint John's Abbey, Collegeville. Father Kevin was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 29 December 1930. He became a priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, 3 June 1956. After earning a degree in canon law from The Catholic University of America, he professed vows as a monk of Saint Anselm's Abbey, Washington, DC, 13 November 1960. He later transferred his stability to Saint John's. 

Father Kevin was a professor of theology and well published author. For many years Father Kevin served as editor of the revered Worship magazine, a quarterly of opinion. 

In the last months he's been living with cancer; he received the sacraments of the Church on Friday.

May Father Kevin rest in peace.

We remember the welcome seminars by Fr. Kevin at Nunraw Abbey, Scotland

Dom Bertrand Oko Cistercian

Our Lady of the Angels Cistercian Priory,

Nsugbe; Oyi L.G.A.
P.O. Box 6976
Onitsha, Anambra State
NIGERIA 

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

Nsugbe

• January 15, 2011: 
• Dom Bertrand Oko. 
• Born in 1947 in Akpugo, Enugu (Nigeria), 
• He entered Awhum in 1977 and made his solemn profession in 1992. 
• He was ordained a priest in 1995. 
• He had been Prior of Awhum from 2000 to 2006 and 
• was Prior of Nsugbe since October 24, 2010. 
• Father was 63 years old, 
• had been in monastic vows for 30 years and 
• was a priest for 15 years 
• when the Lord called him.

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