Mark Caira Blessing

Abbatial Blessing
of
Dom Mark Caira

Assumption of Our Lady
15 August 2009

What story of the anticipation of the marquee, (Tent of the Meeting)? The count-down from previous Nunraw Blog of the singing of the ‘Libera Eternal’ boys from London, Roof Top View, and House Martin under the eves, continues through the fears of disaster. The sequel to the anticipation and preparing contained increasing worry about the weather of growing rains and winds. Greater concern for the visiting guests lead to fear of the conditions. Night and early morning heavy rains caused local floods making traffic detours through Haddington and Garvald. At the regular time of the Office of Terce on Saturday, singing the familiar verses of Psalm 18, the prospects still looked the worst. The voices of the choir were reinforced by the presence of the monks gathered for the Abbatial Blessing. The breathing of the Chant blended with the pouring sound of showers falling and the sight of the bending branches bowed before the winds. Then, as if, the sound of silence was felt in hearts grasping the significance of the verses of Ps. 18: 4-6 o There he has placed a tent for the sun/ It comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent rejoices like a champion to run its course. o At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun to the furthest end of the sky is its course. o There is nothing concealed from the burning heat. The law of the Lord is perfect. (Grail). Unchanging conditions continued. It was then time to have some sustenance, about 11.30, to prepare for the long ceremonies At mid-day, the showers ceased. By half twelve the sun showed through. The signs were at last set for course to clear the way and lifted the hearts of the welcoming the guest crowding in. Those words from Terce, “There he has placed a tent for the sun/, coming from his tent rejoices like a champion”, set the spirit and the Cardinal tool up the cue to lead the celebration throughout the prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and joy of the Abbatial Blessing.

Maximilian Kolbe

St Maximilian Kolbe (1894 - 1941) We celebrated Mass today as memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr. He was born in Poland and was a Franciscan of the Capuchin Order. He is named among Martyrs of the Church. He died in the evil forces of Nazism. His life immediately makes us aware of the millions of Jews who died in the Shoah (the genocide of approximately six million). The Vigil Reading concludes sensitively and embracing all those so ‘martyred’ and all those who are faithful. “Maximilian Kolbe’s martyrdom is the least important thing about him. We are none of us likely to find ourselves in a position to emulate his sacrifice, and speculation as to the heroic way in which we would have behaved in his place is a pernicious waste of time. What is important is that he acted the way he did because of who he was – or, rather, because of who he had become. It is because of who he had become that we revere him as a saint: he would have been a saint (though perhaps not canonised) even if he had not been martyred. And that process of becoming is something we can all emulate. We can all become people for whom doing the right thing is obvious, natural, and easy. It requires no heroism, no special gifts: just perseverance, and prayer”. (From www.universal.com).

Count Down to Abbatial Blessing

Hi, Andy, Count Down. It would more than enough to complete the Chronicle for this busy week. The last evening, Thursday, was to receive delivery of the abbatical (as you dub it) booklet – “Abbatial Blessing of Dom Mark Caira ocso, Assumption of Our Lady, 15th August 2009”. . Marquee (tent of meeting) On the morning of Tuesday, the construction of a large marquee, (the Tent of Meeting), began, making sure to have it secure for Saturday. The men worked like ship-riggers putting up the rib cage of ropes. However the wind was too blustery to get any further for the first day. Then early Wednesday morning the TENT seemed to appear from nowhere. It was suggested that I get photographs of the sight of the ship/ark wrapped in its outside rigging. Libera Eternal On the same evening, Wednesday, we had a very surprising diversion. In the Guest House, during the week, an unusual singing group stayed, rehearsed, and actually had professional recital at the Cathedral for Sunday Mass. Before Compline, for the farewell gift, the boys sang to us with the best of their repertory during the Refectory. The Conductor said the acoustics in the Refectory was excellent. The monks had not learned about the group. It did not take long to find out more. From the Net. “LIBERA ETERNAL” is a Website as at http://www.libera.org.uk/index.htm. The boys come from several schools in South London. "The singers of Libera who are aged seven to sixteen attend many different local schools in South London and come from a variety of backgrounds. Although they are boys and they sing, they do not think of themselves as choirboys, but rather as an alternative kind of boy band." The boys enjoyed their monastic holiday in Scotland, so strange to the young Londoners. A last twist to the excitement. On the same evening (Wed), a coach arrived from Latvia previously booked in the Guest House. Unfortunately the two groups overlapped for the accommodation. As can happen the required beds had to be found. Roof-top Viewing Come Thursday, more volunteers were to the fore in a major spring cleaning operation. For the rare occasion our helpers were welcome to the freedom of the cloister. For some roof top viewing, it was the opportunity to photograph the spectacle of the Ark At that level a glance finds a different view of the cemetery. Along the roof eves House Martins have their own homes. It is not easy to get close-ups but for the first time this House Martin was caught in focus. While on the roof top dander it was a place to find a more unusual view of the cemetery. The forecasts of weather are not encouraging. Regardless, this monastic "Tent Meeting" will make it all the more memorable. Yours Aye, Donald

Rainbow at two levels

Rainbow at two levels

Nunraw Abbey - Rainbow Tuesday 4th August 2009.

4.30 P.M., weather of sunshine, showers and scudding clouds, front of the Abbey, at 160 metres and as soon as a camera to hand, it was a wondrous sight. The points of the bow of the Rainbow touched the ground in view of the trees. Adding to the unusual sight, above the trees belt, the parallel bow also completed the Rainbow.

Viewed from Abbey front.

Looking for Jesus

Sunday, 2 August 2009 Homily by Dom Raymond
A reading from
the holy Gospel according to John 6: 24-35
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I suggest the title of “MOTIVATIONS” for the little homily below.

After they had been miraculously fed by Jesus the crowd noticed that he had gone away and they went looking for him in Capernaum.

We might consider a lesson for us all in the fact that they noticed that Jesus wasn’t with them any longer. What a wonderful description that is of that moment of grace when we realise that Jesus is no longer in our lives the way he used to be; whether it be because of sin or because of negligence or indifference, we suddenly wake up to the fact that there is something wrong with our relationship with Jesus; a certain distance has come about between us and him, and that distance is very much our own fault. Such a moment is a moment of great grace. To realise the absence of Jesus is, in its own way, as real a grace as to realise his presence.

The Jews set off for his home town of Capernaum. This was a logical place to look for him; it was where he lived. We too should make our way to our own Capernaum, the Church and its Sacraments. That is where he lives; that is where he is to be found. But note how surprised they were when they actually did find him! So it is with us, once we start to look for Jesus in earnest we will be surprised at how quickly we find him and in what surprising places and persons and situations we find him. It is, of course, he who is seeking us out rather than we who are seeking him.

But when the Jews find him he is hardly welcoming! “You are seeking me for the wrong reasons”, he tells them. “You are seeking me because you got free bread to fill your bellies.” Again the same can so often be said of us. We seek out Jesus when we need something: a job; a healing; an exam; a thousand and one other things of our own personal earthly needs. Certainly it is good to pray for our earthly needs, our “daily bread”, but Jesus wants us above all to seek him for his own sake; for who he is to us; for what we are to him. This is the kind of seeking that Jesus wishes to stir up in our hearts.

Now Jesus has built into the life of his people a wonderful means of ensuring that his people seek him in this very best of ways. This wonderful means is, of course, the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Not only does this wonderful Sacrament ensure that our motives are of the very best when we approach him but it also deepens and strengthens and purifies these motives; the motives of faith, of love, and of wonder.

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Nivard Glasgow to Cameroon

below see Video

Nivard Glasgow to Cameroon

Following the anniversary and the feast of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Fr. Nivard was asked write about his story . . .

Nivard’s Story Fr. Nivard (William, Brendan) McGlynn was born 12 November 1930, in Holy Cross Parish, Glasgow, Scotland. He was the first born of seven children born to Irish parents. He was baptised William Brendan after his aunt, a missionary in South Africa. At the age of five he joined the parish choir where he first sang plainchant. At this time his mother introduced him to the piano. World War II In 1939 his mother and seven children, five girls and two boys, were evacuated to Ireland because of World War II. His father remained in Scotland to support the family. In Donegal, Ireland Brendan completed his primary education. Here he again played on a harmonium and two pianos in his grandmother's hotel. However the family soon moved to the parish of Ardara and settled in Ballyjkilduff near Naran Portnoo on the shore of Gweebara Bay. Here there was an off shore holy island with a monastic site, Iniskeel. At certain times of the year it was possible to make a pilgrimage to the island but only for a few hours before the tide returned. He and his brother visited the island quite often in summertime. Here his monastic vocation began to take shape. Scotland 1945 He returned with his family to Scotland in 1945. He worked as shop assistant in Glasgow for six months. In 1946 He applied to enter the Franciscan Order, OFM. He was accepted and sent to their Minor Seminary, St Bernardine's College, Buckingham, England, for his secondary education. In 1948 he entered the Franciscan novitiate, Chilworth, Surrey, England. Then while at the House of Studies at East Bergholt the attraction to the monastic way of life became very strong. So in 1952, when he was due for Solemn Profession he applied to enter Mt St Bernard Abbey, Leicestershire, England, and was accepted. At this time his brother and sisters began to follow him into the religious life when they came of age. Mt St Bernard Abbey On receiving the habit he took the name of Nivard. (He was not allowed to keep the name of Brendan because when his Abbot was novice master in Ireland very many 'Brendans' entered but not one persevered!). He made his Simple Profession, 13 November 1954, and Solemn Profession 13 November 1957. He was ordained priest, 29 July 1959. He worked for seven years in the Pottery, first as assistant to Fr Vincent and then to Fr Luke. Apart from the usual stoneware items he experimented with clay flutes and ocarinas. He also assisted Fr Luke in the repair of harmoniums and in the making of the simple monstrance still used in Bamenda Abbey. When Dom Ambrose asked if he would like to go on the Foundation in Jos, Nigeria he did not have to think twice before giving his 'yes'. He always wanted to be a monk, a priest and a missionary and now the third wish was granted. He was a member of the main group of Founders of eight monks who left Mt St Bernard . . . . On to Bamenda, Cameroon - - - - to be continued Holy Land - - -to be continued Golden Jubilee 29 July 2009 . . . The Bishop of Argyll is present for the celebration of Fr. Nivard's 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Priesthood. Bishop Joseph Toal is on Retreat with us - attending the Choir Offices he may enjoy the quiet views from the Choir Windows, see picture. . . . to be continued.

1 comments:

John said...

A very happy Anniversary to Fr Nivard from John Roberts - Permanent Deacon (Southwark) and Counsellor who has happy memories of visiting Bamenda in 2000 and 2001 with Dom John and on the latter occasion with Dom Donald. I will keep you in my prayers.

John

30 July 2009 13:17

Nivard Golden Jubilee

Fr. Nivard, (William, Brendan) McGlynn OCSO, O.L.of Bamenda Abbey, Cameroon.

Wednesday, July 28, 2009 Feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Golden Jubilee – 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Fr. Nivard. Fr. Nivard is taking the Community Mass for the Jubilee. He say’s it is to be all very low key. Abbot Mark, still bursar, will have a little something in the Refectory. He says, “The Mass of Martha, Mary and Lazarus show us the beauty of a welcoming family, a home, a house of overflowing hospitality. “What they were to Jesus God, our Father, has been to me from all eternity. He has showered me with blessings through my parents brothers, sisters and ancestors. “I thank God for his mercy and love granted through Mother Church and my religious Family, MSB, Bamenda and especially, at the moment, for the unique hospitality of Sancta Maria Abbey. I don’t know how manage to put up with the beggar monk from Africa. “But seriously, the gift of fifty years of priesthood is so great a grace that only with the Mass, the Eucharist, can we offer the Lord adequate thanksgiving. I thank you for joining me on this joyful occasion. “Coming together as God’s family, with confidence, let us ask the Father’s forgiveness, for He is full of gentleness and compassion”.

Fr. Nivard is the eldest of the McGlynn family of seven , two Cistercian Monks, and five Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. The father, Daniel died 22 July 1988. Mother, Norah, died January 196o.

St. Samson of CALDEY

Caldey - winding wall from monastery
leading to St. Davids Church

Saint of the Day: 28th July ICN News 28 July 2009 -Saint Samson Saint Samson Welsh abbot and bishop. The life of this 5th century saint was written within 50 years of his death and is believed to be the earliest biography in existence of a British Celtic saint. According to the ancient text, Samson was educated and ordained at St Illtyd's school in Glamorgan. He then went to another monastery on Caldey Island where he became abbot. He also spent some time in Ireland and as a hermit on the banks of the River Severn. He lived in Cornwall, and Brittany where he established a monastery at Dol. He also seems to have been in Jersey and Guernsey and the Scilly Isles. He interceded with the Frankish king Childbert I on behalf of the dispossessed Breton ruler Judual. Many miracles were attributed to Samson. There are ancient churches dedicated to him in Cornwall, Brittany and elsewhere . Recent research indicates that he must have been an important evangelizer in Cornwall and the Channel Islands.

17th Sunday Homily

Below see Video

Fr. Aelred Jones, Engineer, Monk, Priest

Homily - Fr. Aelred 26 July [17th Sunday of Ordinary Time For today and the next four Sundays the next Gospel Readings come from the Chapter six of St John’s Gospel. John, unlike the other three evangelists, has no account of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Most of John’s Eucharistic teaching is contained in this Chapter 6, at his Gospel. There are clear Eucharistic overtones in the way the miracle of the teaching of the 5,000 is related. We are told that Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people. Such language is meant to remind us of what he did at the Last Supper, and at what happens every time we celebrate the Eucharist. St. John describes me the miraculous things Jesus did as signs. A sign either points us somewhere or tells us something, and this is true at the signs Jesus gave us. The sign of the feeding of the five-thousand- strong crowd points first at all, to the wonderful compassion of Jesus, who was so concerned for the human needs of those around him. This tells us that Jesus is interested in the details of our life, our worries and our fears. Secondly, the feeding of the crowd points us to the faiths of the disciples. Philip was unsure when Jesus asked him where enough bread could be taught to feed everyone. Andrew did a little better. He took a hesitant step in faith and pushed toward the small boy with five loaves and two fish. At the command of Jesus, however, the disciples trustingly did exactly what he asked. This tells us that living by faith can sometimes be shaky and unclear, but that the word of Jesus can be relied upon. Finally, this sign points us to God’s generous provision for our needs. By miraculously feeding the impossibly large with the incredibly small, Jesus reminds us that God always wants to nourish us, both humanly and spiritually. The supreme sign of this is in the Eucharist, when we receive the food and drink that points us towards heaven and tells us we are loved. The Lord nourishes us here in the Eucharistic banquet as surely and generously ass he fed the people in the desert. He nourishes us so that we in our turn may be able to nourish others. Generosity should have a central place in our lives, and we get many opportunities in our everyday dealings with one another to practice it. It’s not only about giving things, but also and more especially about giving of ourselves – of our time, our energy, and our love, some people will only experience God’s generosity through our willingness to give of what we have and, in faith, to allow God to multiply the graces and benefits that will flow from it. God’s generosity strengthens us to trust deeply in God’s care and to show that care to others by sharing what is ours.