Baptism of the Lord

SUNDAY 10th Jan 2010

We have had heavy snows since Christmas time but today laity were able make access.

The Mass began with some unexpected dramatics. It was announced, “It is the Baptism of the Lord”. Then, “Heaven was opened”, and immediately there was the sound of loud rumblings. In the silence we could hear the chuckles from the congregation.

The noise was from the seeming thunder from the banks of thick snow thawing and slipping from the roof. And other crashes of long icicles from the eves.

There is a big word of COSMIC but full of little things.

“And the voice came from heaven”.

There is a lovely word from Pope Benedict xvi.

He speaks of the mystery. From the wonders the cosmic, Benedict sees the great step to the mystery of Baptism.

We all feel, we all inwardly comprehend that our existence is a desire for life which invokes fullness and salvation. This fullness is given to us in baptism ..

The Baptism of the Lord This ... is the mystery of baptism: God desired to save us by going to the bottom of this abyss himself so that every person, even those who have fallen so low that they can no longer perceive heaven, may find God's hand to cling to and rise from the darkness to see once again the light for which he or she was made. We all feel, we all inwardly comprehend that our existence is a desire for life which invokes fullness and salvation. This fullness is given to us in baptism ... The Son of God, who from eternity shares the fullness of life with the Father and the Holy Spirit was "immersed" in our reality as sinners to make us share in his own life: He was incarnate, he was born like us, he grew up like us and, on reaching adulthood, manifested his mission which began precisely with the "baptism of conversion" administered by John the Baptist. Jesus' first public act. .. was to go down into the Jordan, mingling among repentant sinners, in order to receive this baptism... Why, therefore, did the Father desire this? Was it because he had sent his only-begotten Son into the world as the Lamb to take upon himself the sins of the world (see Jn 1: 29)? The Evangelist recounts that when Jesus emerged from the waters, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, while the Father's voice from heaven proclaimed him limy beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mt 3: 17). From that very moment, therefore, Jesus was revealed as the one who came to baptize humanity in the Holy Spirit: He came to give men and women life in abundance (see In 10: 10), eternal life, which brings the human being back to life and heals him entirely, in body and in spirit, restoring him to the original plan for which he was created. The purpose of Christ's existence was precisely to give humanity God's life and his Spirit of love so that every person might be able to draw from this inexhaustible source of salvation. (Pope Benedict XVI - from MAGNIFCAT Missalette).

Fr. Peter Logue Mt St Bernard Abbey

Friday, January 8, 2010 Father Peter Logue - RIP 1913 - 2010 This morning at 12:50 AM Fr. Peter died. He was a monk at Mount St. Bernard Abbey for 75 years, recently turned 96 years of age. Fr. Peter was the oldest monk at Mount St. Bernard Abbey. He was the oldest monk to ever be at Mount St. Bernard Abbey and may have been the oldest monk in England. He is lying in repose in the monk's church at the abbey. His small frame belied a great man. He was greatly loved. He will be greatly missed. Thursday is the day we remember the Lord's Last Supper. Thursday was the last day Fr. Peter shared in the Eucharist, a foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet. On Friday we remember the Lord's own death. It was on the cross Christ said to the good thief, “I assure you: this day you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk. 23:43). May Fr. Peter share in the Heavenly Banquet today. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Requiescat in pace

Informmation from Blogspot

Declan Brett

http://scholacaritatis.blogspot.com/2010/01/father-peter-logue-rip-1913-2010.html

Fr. Nivard of Bamenda Cistercian Abbey, Cameroon, having known Fr. Peter Logue in both Foundation of Mount Saint Bernard & Bamenda, writes: Peter Logue was born in Fife , he was brought up in Motherwell/Glasgow. He entered 1935 after some years in seminary. Under Abbot Malachy (1933-59), he joined in the daunting work of the Church construction, part of the lovely Pugin style Cistercian monastery. I first met Fr Peter in 1952 when I entered Mt St Bernard Abbey. As from Glasgow , because of our accents, we made an immediate rapport, this in spite of the strict rule of silence and isolation of the novices. The novices sometimes helped Fr. Peter in the vegetable garden and flourishing glass-house. He was a hard worker and took his responsibility very seriously. However he had a fund of common sense and a good sense of humour. My cubicle was next to him so at times there was a bit of banter in sign language, of course, at which both of us were rather adept. Father Peter’s father used to visit Mt St Bernard and quite a few times he came when my parents were also visiting me. As a young man he came from Glenfin parish in Co Donegal. This was also the parish of my parents and also of the father of Fr Andrew of Mellifont. The latter was also born in Fife . When I entered, Peter was one of the youngest of the seniors and was impressive and businesslike at the liturgical ceremonies. He had a good voice and articulation and so from time to time he served as one of the assistant cantors or one of the ‘buffers’ on either side of them. He taught moral theology and canon law. When we were doing the Sacraments, he told us the story of his mother. She had been a Presbyterian and on good terms with her minister. After her conversion and marriage, the minister used to visit her and was anxious to know the precise formula of the words for Baptism. Peter was an excellent teacher and it was in this capacity that he came to Bamenda Abbey in Cameroon . Here he was perfectly at home and became an immediate favourite with the African monks. His Guest House Retreats were also much appreciated especially by the Africa seminarians preparing for ordination. His last student at Bamenda was Dom Raphael of Nsugbe Cistercian Abbey whom he prepared for ordination. He returned to Mt St Bernard after eight years and was sorely missed by the monks in Cameroon . He always gave me a huge welcome on my home visits to Mt St Bernard, especially the last one, two years ago. Br Celestine from Nunraw visited him some time ago. As they said farewell Fr Peter said, “I’ll be seeing you in Heaven”. Just before that Fr Peter had two bad falls. So he had one of the juniors, Br Adam, wheel him around the monastery so that he could greet the brothers. He always kept in touch with his brothers and sisters. No doubt this was the fruit of his keeping in touch with God in his daily following of our hidden Cistercian way of life. (Fr. Nivard).

God at the Heart of Darkness

Catherine of Siena’s Way by Mary Ann Fatula (p.83) As in the evening Chapter Reading as part of Compline, I have been listening to the community reading of the book, Catherine of Siena’s Way. It happens at times there is nothing to grip the attention. But this evening, the regular Thursday Discussion ended quickly and for once the Reading seemed to shine with significance. The Holy Spirit can speak like this as in the prompting of this passage. GOD AT THE HEART OF DARKNESS: After a long period of these trials, Catherine seemed to experience one day a new light from the Holy Spirit. She began to understand that this struggle was in fact an answer to her own prayer for the gift of faith and courage, and she resolved to stand steadfast in it for as long as the Lord desired. In the light of this new understanding, the Lord made his presence known to her. Catherine begged him to tell her why he had abandoned her: "Where were you, Lord, while my heart was suffering the agony of all those horrors?" When the Lord answered that he had been present in her heart the entire time, she asked him how this could be, since her heart had been filled with "obscene and abominable thoughts." Jesus asked her who had kept her faithful and caused her to feel grief rather than delight at these tempta­tions: "Was it not I myself, hidden in your heart's core? .. It was I who was working in you all this time. Hidden in your heart, I was guarding it from your enemies on every side." This experience so impressed itself upon Catherine that she would later encourage others with the truth she had learned during this time. She realized that even when we love God, we often grow "not only lukewarm but altogether cold." Discouraged at feeling no love for God, we often give up prayer entirely and in this way only weaken ourselves still more." But Catherine herself learned that we most need to pray when we least feel like praying, because the time of trial greatly increases our self-knowledge and dependence on God. "This knowledge is more perfectly gained in time of temptation, because then you know that you are nothing, since you have no power to relieve yourself of sufferings and troubles you would like to escape."

Epiphany Sermon in Chapter

Epiphany of the Lord Community Chapter Sermon by Fr. Aelred ‘The Solemnity of the Epiphany’ The Magi were searching for Christ. When they found him, they worshipped Him and offered Him gifts. Millions of people have followed the footsteps of the Magi and come to Christ. And we monks can count ourselves among those fortunate millions. The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord originated in the East in the third century, and by the fourth century it ranked with Easter and Pentecost as one of the three principal festivals of the Church. Matthew is our only source for the account of the three Gentiles who come from a far country to pay homage to the Christ Child. For Matthew, the story of the Magi becomes an anticipation of the fate of the good News of Salvation, a fate that He knew in the aftermath of the Resurrection! God revealed Himself to the Jews through the Scriptures and the Gentiles through nature. Hence, Matthew shows the Mage receiving a revelation through astrology. The story highlights the paradox: the Jews who have the Scriptures reject Jesus, while Gentiles come, and with the help of the Scriptures, find and adore Him. There is nothing to be gained by speculating where the Magi came from and what exactly the star was. The star was only the means by which a great mystery was revealed – the revelation of Christ as the Saviour of both Jew and Gentile. The second reading in today’s Mass, from Ephesians, expresses the same theological truth of today’s feast. God invites Jews and Gentiles to share on an equal footing the benefits of Salvation brought by Christ. The Feast of the Epiphany is a revolutionary feast. Christ is revealed as the Saviour, not only of the Chosen People, but of all peoples. Jesus broke down the barrier that existed between Jews and Gentiles. In fact, all the barriers of tribe, of kinship, are transcended by the message of Jesus, the Universal Brother. Yet in today’s world we still see many barriers: racial, social and religious. All these divisions are reflections of our separation from God. When Christ was born in Bethlehem , some people saw just another child. Others, such as Herod, saw the Child as a threat. But the Magi recognized the Christ Child as their Saviour. All those people had the same eyes, yet they did not see the same things with those eyes. It was faith which enabled the Magi to glimpse the mysterious parting of the veil and see the reality beyond. People sometimes travel long distances in search of spiritual experiences which they could have in their home place. We don’t have to travel anywhere, for Christ’s light was not once lit in Bethlehem and then extinguished. For two thousand years his light has shone upon the world, and it will continue to shine on all who believe in Him and follow Him. So, let us imitate the Magi, and walk in the light of the Lord.

Epiphany Fr Ronald Walls

Sunday Epiphany.

We learned of the death of Fr. Ronald Walls and remembered him in the intercessions for his soul in the Mass.

Fr. Ronald Walls "The family announced with sorrow the death, in his 90th year, on Saturday, January 2, 2010, of Father Ronald J. Walls, priest at Our Lady and St. Joseph's, Kirkwall and formerly Parish Priest in Caithness, Banchory and at Woodside, Aberdeen." + _________________________________________________________________ Fr. Ronnie Walls was a very dear friend of, and greatly regarded by the monks at Nunraw Abbey. Our Notes below, reflect some of the enriching interests of his blessed life. Ronald Walls was born in Edinburgh in 1920. He began adult life as a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. In 1948, with his wife and three sons, he was received into the Catholic Church. In a road accident in 1974 he was badly injured and his wife Helen was killed. In 1977 he was ordained priest by Mario Conti. now Archbishop of Glasgow. His inspiring autobiography, Love Strong as Death, and two volumes of daily meditations on the Gospel readings at Mass, Stairway to the Upper Room, are also published by Gracewing. Ronald Walls (Bibliography) The One True Kirk by Ronald Walls Burns & Oats, London 1960 From the manse to the Mass is a long step. Ronald Walls, once a Presbyterian minister in the Highlands of Scotland, tells in this book how and why he finally came to take it. From an early age, long before a Hungarian policeman described him as a "Knoxist", Ronald wails felt himself called to serve in the ministry of the Scottish Church. The One True Kirk is the story of how he became a minister, of the joys, sorrows and problems he encountered in his first and last parish and of how he finally left the ministry to face an uncertain future as a Catholic. Told with a natural gift for writing, a quiet humour and constant charity, this is a story that will appeal to Scottish readers because of its deep seriousness and its affectionate fidelity to the realities of life in rural Scotland, while English readers will find in it a fascinating and timely insight into what unites as well as what separates them from their fellow-Christians who this year celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the Scottish Reformation. (Jacket Cover) · · Christ Who Lives in Me: Rosary Meditations by Ronald Walls (ISBN 0879738537 (0-87973-853-7) · · Commentary on the Documents of Vatican II by Herbert Vorgrimler, Hilda Graef, W.J. O'Hara, Ronald Walls Hardcover, Continuum International Publishing Group, Limited, ISBN 0223294314 (0-223-29431-4) · The Glory of Israel: Scriptural Background on the Mysteries of the Rosary by Ronald Walls (ISBN 0879738138 (0-87973-813-8) · Love Strong As Death by Ronald Walls ( ISBN 187900741X (1-879007-41-X) 'To all who read it, this autobiography of Father Ronnie Walls will stand out as a sign of contradiction to the mood of the age. In an era of doubt this is a story of faith. In an era of flux this is a story of commitment. Most of all it is a very moving and inspiring story of love. Father Ronnie’s fascinating description of his extended family's lifestyle and genuine religious attachment to the beliefs and practices of the Church of Scotland is the prelude. There's something intensely moving about the kilted youngster making his own way in the world, full of enterprise and goodwill, eager to encounter fellow pilgrims, motivated by a deep awareness of God in his life. These pages offer a valuable insight into many "nooks and crannies" of Scottish life during the 20th century. From the middleclass respectability of Edinburgh's suburbs to the idyll of Highland rural life in Logic Easter. From the friendly banter of the Glasgow tram to the evocative calm of Nunraw Abbey. Father Ronnie's writing skill is such that the reader will soon feel quite at home in these and many other locations, and will follow with increasing interest the boy becoming a man, finding happiness in an exemplary marriage to Helen , his soul-mate, and settling down to parish ministry. Outwardly, the young minister had it all, but inside the burning desire for truth would not be extinguished. The pursuit of truth meant running the risk of losing everything. In many ways the title of the book sums up everything. Love, to Ronnie Walls, is indeed as strong as death, perhaps even stronger. I have no hesitation in declaring that this inspirational, funny, fascinating and moving book is one of the best of fruits produced in recent years.' (Thomas J Cardinal Winning · The Reformation in Germany by Joseph Lortz, Ronald Walls Hardcover, Darton, Longman & Todd, Limited, ISBN 0232483868 (0-232-48386-8) · · This Is Your Mother : The Scriptural Roots of the Rosary by Ronald Walls Softcover, Gracewing, Limited, ISBN 0852444036 (0-85244-403-6) · · Stairway to the Upper Room: Salvation History and Sundays by Ronald Walls Gracewing Limited, (Vol 1 Oct 2002, Vol 2 Mar 2003) From Loneliness to Solitude BBC talks Thoughts for Today and other Studies and Article.. . .

Mother of God

OCTAVE DAY OF CHRISTMAS;

SOLEMNITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

(Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7)

SOLEMNITY OF MOTHERHOOD OF MARY The Two Angel Choruses At the Birth of the Saviour a Heavenly Choir of Angels sang the refrain: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth”. That is a lovely refrain and very meaningful for all who know and love the Saviour and understand the truth of the promise of peace it brings. But at the death of that saviour another choir of angels, this time earthly angels, sang another song; a song somewhat similar and yet very different. It was as Jesus was being led, at the beginning of Holy Week, into the city that was to put him to death that this choir of earthly angels sang their song. Now who were these earthly angels? They were the closest to angels we can find on earth: a band of children; a band of children whose song was inspired, indeed we might say, commanded, by God Himself. “If they do not sing this song, the very stones will shout it out: “Glory to God in the highest”, they sang, and “Peace in the Highest Heavens”. Here we must note the difference between the words of the heavenly Choir at Christ’s birth and those of the earthly choir at his death. Whereas the heavenly choir sang of “peace on earth”, the earthly choir sang of peace in heaven. What is the meaning of this difference between the two songs? Perhaps we might interpret it thus: The Choir of angels were singing of a blessing of peace for the earth where there was so much of strife and tension, whereas the earthly choir was singing of a blessing of peace for the heavens where we would surely expect there was already nothing but peace and tranquillity. But there is a way in which our poor human minds and human language can consider a certain lack of perfect peace, even in heaven; a kind of “unease” a kind of anxiety and fear. If the Communion of Saints means anything; if love itself means anything, then those in heaven who love us and who see us living amid so many perils; who see us walking blindly along such dangerous paths; who see our blindness and foolishness, not to mention our downright malice at times; then those who love us from above must have many an anxious moment on our account. This is true for the whole body of the Saints in heaven, but it is most specially true for those who were nearest and dearest to us on earth; their love and concern for us has, of course, only increased by their passing into eternal life. But of all those who have a special love and concern for us in heaven, who can be more loving and concerned for us than our heavenly Mother Herself? We call her the mother of sorrows and that sorrow did not pass with the resurrection of her First-Born, it remains there with all the other sentiments of anguish and fear and anxiety carried in her heart as she accompanies each one of us on our perilous journey home. HAPPY NEW YEAR Fr Raymond

Snow Scenery

Nunraw Christmas & New Year
Looking north east to the Lammermuir Hills and north west Fife

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End of the Year and Beginning of 2010

At the Office of Compline, after the final Salve Regina of the Old Year, we sang the Te Deum in thanksgiving.

Abbot Mark concluded with the appropriate prayer.

God, Our Father,

we thank you for the gifts and graces you have given us in this year just ending.

We ask pardon for our failings and negligences during it.

As we celebrate your new coming on earth at Christmas

may it raise us up to a better and fuller life in you.

And may this coming new year be one of much grace, peace and joy

for us and for all our families and friends

to the glory of your name.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord

Amen.

Hogmanay New Year

On the eve of New Year some friends braved the drive through snow to the Shrine of Schoenstatt.

A-M writes,

Well today I was still taking photos in the snow but at the Scheonstatt

shrine in Milton of Campsie.

A true sanctuary in the midst of the biting cold.

The grounds are usually great for exploring and enjoying the peace and

quiet- but not today.

Last day of the year..............

CHRISTMASTIDE Octave of Christmas 1 January MARY, MOTHER OF GOD The most famous Marian homily of antiquity From a homily by Saint Cyril of Alexandria (Hom. 4: PG 77, 991.995-996) This is the most famous Marian homily of antiquity. It was delivered in the Church of Saint Mary at Ephesus between 23 and 27 June 431, while the third Ecumenical Council was in session there. This Council, at which Cyril presided as papal delegate, condemned Nestorius, and solemnly recognized Mary's title of Theotokos, Mother of God. Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We salute you, for in your holy womb he, who is beyond all limitation, was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance. What more is there to say? Because of you the light of the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the word of God; the apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to life, and kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity. Who can put Mary's high honor into words? She is both mother and virgin. I am overwhelmed by the wonder of this miracle. Of course no one could be prevented from living in the house he had built for himself, yet who would invite mockery by asking his own servant to become his mother? Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.