Madrid WYD

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RdTYajzDlQ  

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Pope Visits Spain, Says Ethics Should Guide Economies

• By DAVID ROMAN

Reuters

Children dressed as Swiss Guards, who protect Vatican City, welcome Pope Benedict XVI after he arrived at Madrid's Barajas Airport on Thursday.

MADRID—Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday began his third official visit to Spain, a trip observers say they expect will smooth strained ties between the Socialist government and the Roman Catholic Church.

For Pope Benedict, the trip will also serve as a return to a country that many in the Vatican see as a crucial battleground against secularist trends that have taken a toll on European Catholic communities. Spain was until recently a key Catholic stronghold, but has lately introduced policies the Vatican strongly opposes.

Thousands line the streets of Madrid as Pope Benedict visits the historic city against a backdrop of protests over the cost of the Pontiff's trip in the financially-challenged country. Video courtesy of Reuters.

Earlier, the pope denounced the profit-at-all-cost mentality he said is behind Europe's economic crisis, saying morals and ethics must play a greater role in future policies, the Associated Press reported.

"The economy doesn't function with market self-regulation," he told reporters on the papal plane, "but needs an ethical reason to work for mankind," the AP reported. He added that the current crisis shows that a moral dimension is "interior and fundamental" to economic problems.

Pope Benedict's visits to Spain over his six years as pope compare with just five visits in 26 years of papacy of his predecessor, John Paul II.

The visit, which sparked clashes between secularist groups and Catholic pilgrims late Wednesday, comes ahead of general elections set for Nov. 20. The latest opinion polls show the conservative, pro-Catholic Popular Party may return to power after seven years of Socialist Party rule.

Over the next three days, the pope plans to meet with Mariano Rajoy, the Popular Party candidate for prime minister. Pope Benedict will also meet twice with the current premier, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero—a stark contrast with his previous Spanish visit, in 2010, when they met briefly at Barcelona's airport as the pope was about to depart.

This, observers say, is a sign of a conciliatory attitude on both sides after recent high-profile rows, in particular over the 2005 approval of gay marriage. It also shows a delicate balancing act for the Socialists as they try to attract votes in a country that remains predominantly Catholic, as Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, the Socialist candidate, said he doesn't plan to meet the pope.

The Pope in Madrid

View Slideshow

Claudio Onorati/European Pressphoto Agency

Pope Benedict XVI greeted a crowd at Barajas International Airport, in Madrid Thursday.

• More photos and interactive graphics

In the 1960s, more than 90% of Spaniards defined themselves as Catholics, but in the latest polls, 72% do. That is down eight percentage points in the past decade alone, as Spain has moved from being one of the most conservative countries in Europe to one generally in favor of causes like abortion rights.

Jesús Bastante, a prominent Spanish Catholic blogger, said this is a concern for the Spanish Catholic Church, traditionally one of the most influential in Europe, only behind the church in Italy. But an additional worry is the possible spread of such secularist trends into Latin America, which keeps close cultural ties with Spain, and is home to almost half of the world's Catholics.

"There's a fear that this secularism is exported to the Americas, just like Catholicism itself was a Spanish export there," Mr. Bastante said.

The pope's visit forms part of the Catholic Church's weeklong World Youth Day, which has attracted hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from across the world. Speaking on his arrival in Madrid, he expressed concern about youth unemployment—a burning issue in crisis-hit Spain, where nearly half of all 15- to 24-year-olds don't have a job.

"Many young people look worriedly to the future, as they search for work, or because they have lost their job or because the one they have is precarious or uncertain," the pope said.

In spite of the social rhetoric, the visit has stirred an unusual degree of street-level opposition from secularist and activist groups, which previously rallied against government economic-austerity measures. Several thousand of those opposing the trip rallied in Madrid on Wednesday, and exchanged insults and taunts with Spanish and foreign pilgrims in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol square.

Echoing a common complaint among the secularists, Antonio González, an official at Spain's Secularist Watch, an organization that helped organize the protests, said the pope's visit will have a significant cost for Spanish taxpayers at a time of painful belt-tightening. However, both the Catholic Church and Madrid's local government have said the costs will be fully covered by pilgrims and private sponsors, while spending by the large influx of visitors will provide needed revenue to Madrid's local economy.

For the Vatican, the visit also represents a rare moment of relief—since accusations of child abuse became a top item in the agenda of papal visits in recent years—as the event is a show of global strength with the city of three million people flooded by youngsters from more than 100 countries.

"The World Youth Day brings us a message of hope…which fill us with confidence on the future of the Church and the world," the pope said on Thursday.

Parable of Labourers of the Vineyard – Matt 20:1-16

World Youth Day Mass 16th Aug 2011

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Mass Introduction MATTHEW 20:1-16

In the Gospel today has Peter and the disciples the select audience for the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard. ……….

Jesus is talking to the disciples in this parable Rather differently, on this occasion, it is not addressed to the Pharisee or the crowds.

The last verse of the previous paragraph is a transition and is repeated at the end; “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last" (v 16)..”

The whole parable is really Jesus commentary on the action about the rich young man.

As Jesus words to the disciples, this morning, as disciple, we are given much for thought. “Why be envious because I am generous.”

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Note : Commentary "

R. Knox & R. Cox,  The Gospel Storyp.279

Parable of Labourers of the Vineyard – Matt 20:1-16.

There is no change of audience; Jesus is still speaking to his disciples, not to the Pharisees, or the crowds. Ordinarily parables were used for the people, not for the apostles; but Jesus Sometimes made exceptions to this rule (pp. 182, 238, 334). The parable is closely linked with the preceding incident; the last verse of the previous paragraph is the transition, and is repeated again at the end of the parable. This parable illustrates the part played by the grace of God in the kingdom; it is a free gift that he gives to whomever he wills; God is not only just, he is lavish with undeserved favours. This is exemplified both in the apostles, who were last in rank (compared with the Pharisees) but have now become the rulers ('first') of the kingdom, and the Gentiles, who were last in time (the Jews were called centuries before) but will soon be predominant ('first') in the kingdom. .

The whole parable is really a commentary on Jesus' statement to the apostles about the rich young man, 'To God all things are possible' (p. 276). God's grace plays its part in the kingdom, as well as man's own effort. In a similar parable, Jesus showed the need of personal striving to enter the kingdom (p. 250); here he takes up the other side of the picture (a line of thought familiar in St. Paul, e.g. Romans, 9, 14-16). There was danger that the apostles would be influenced by the outlook of their first teachers, the Pharisees (p. 166); these looked on God's favours as their just rights; Jesus' attitude to publicans and sinners was something they disapproved of (p. 256). So, by this parable, Our Lord wished to impress on his followers God's mercy and grace to those who have not merited it, such as the penitent thief (p. 400).

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Afternote, Tauler

Matthew 20:1, “A landowner went out early….”  Johann Tauler (14th century) focused on the word ‘early’.  God takes the first step, he said; God always works ‘early’.  Tauler sees the whole sweep of Revelation in this word ‘early’.  “In one sense our Lord went out early by His eternal birth, by which he came forth from the Father's heart, without ever leaving it. In another sense our Lord Jesus Christ went out early when He took human nature upon Himself, so that He might make terms with us and call us back into His vineyard.”

WYD 2011: Madrid will never forget these scenes of devotion

Dear Fr. Patrick,

Thank you for giving us up News briefing of the great Madrid WYD events(s).

At our Assumption day we gave prayerful  send-off of Pope, Cardinal O'Brien and 50 young people from Scotland to attend the WYD.
 It is good of you to send the article and picture and putting it on the Blog to spread this communion of sharing.

 . . . Donald.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: father patrick ...
Sent: Wed, 17 August, 2011 17:26:26
Subject: World Youth Day, Madrid Spain

Greetings and Peace:

  As you know over the next four days, Madrid will be the centre for World Youth Days.   Please remember to pray for our young people, and especially for Pope Benedict XV1 who will join one million youth in Madrid from tomorrow Thursday to Sunday.   The article below is a great article for your information.   We pray for our church.   

God Bless you. 

father patrick

**************************

WYD 2011: Madrid will never forget these scenes of devotion

Catholics young and old dance in the streets ahead of the Pope’s arrival

By Madeleine Teahan on Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Pilgrims fill Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles for the opening Mass of World Youth Day (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Yesterday evening I was privileged to attend the opening Mass of the 26th World Youth Day in the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid with hundreds of thousands of other young Catholics.
Notting Hill Carnival could not compete with the vivacity and excitement demonstrated last night by the Church’s young, despite the intense heat and bustle. In an atmosphere of potential chaos, tempered by pure devotion, Madrid witnessed scenes that will forever remain in its memory.
In the middle of London’s equivalent of the Strand both young and old packed the streets, dancing, singing, chanting and, moments later, kneeling in humble reverence to adore God and prepare for their hero, Pope Benedict XVI.
The opening Mass was in memory of Blessed John Paul II and there can be no doubt that this pope is ingrained in the hearts of the faithful. Video clips of John Paul II on big screens around the centre were greeted with shouts, cheers and cries.
He was, according to Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela of Madrid, the “pope of the young people” and “young people are the hope and future of the entire Church”.
The Archbishop of Madrid dedicated much of his homily to describing the late pope’s life, which was marked by the challenges and trials confronted by this extraordinary man who “lived the truth that God is with us”. Speaking directly to the youth present, the archbishop said: “You are the generation of Pope Benedict XVI.” His words were greeted by eager applause.
It’s clear that Cardinal Varela grasps the political significance of World Youth Day in a Catholic country governed by an administration which shows minimal sympathy for the Church and its values.
Throughout his homily the archbishop shrewdly asserted that Spain could not be understood without its Catholic heritage and that Catholic tradition forms the character of the nation. The tone of the
archbishop’s address is surely an indicator that World Youth Day arrives at an opportune time for the Spanish Church and will boost its morale.
But of course this is primarily a pastoral occasion and the archbishop emphasised to pilgrims that on their journey God would find them. He called on them to accept the challenge of the New Evangelisation. He told them that they would find God in the Eucharist, among the poor and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Given the courage and wisdom that Benedict XVI showed during his visit to Britain, I doubt the Pope will waste any time in using the incredible demonstration of faith by the young to remind the
current government that the Church is integral to the character and values of Spanish democracy.
The opening Mass has set the tone for Pope Benedict’s arrival on Thursday. This week will be instrumental in reinforcing Spain’s national character as it stands at a crossroads in its history

An Assumption bouquet.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: WILLIAM . . .
Sent: Sun, 14 August, 2011 18:17:02
Subject: An Assumption bouquet

. . . 

Here is an Assumption bouquet I came upon that delights!

. . .  in Our Lord,

William

Hi, William,

HOMILY

Here below is an Assumption of Blessed Mary Virgin Homily from Fr. Edward O.P. from Iceland.

. . . from Donald

Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven 

 by   Fr Edward Booth O.P. 2011.

Iceland -  http://www.simnet.is/e.booth/photo.htm

               

          Infinitude cannot be separated from infinitude: what is true of numerical infinitude is even more true of Divine infinitude. If we may in our minds separate infinitude by nature and infinitude by participation, we cannot deny the reality that what is divine infinitude by participation is the full divine infinitude, the infinitude of his glory, and therefore is identical with the divine, not derived or subordinate.

               Because of this commerce with the divine we must accept the fact that, without herself being divine, Mary's participation in the divine nature was the highest  participation accorded to one who was a creature but was suffused completely with the divinity. What is an "either-or" in creation becomes a "both-and" of supernature in her. Those early believers who grasped that she was the "Mother-of-God" had discerned the ultimate simplicity of her nature that the commonality which united her with Divinity on the one hand and with the life of her Son, the sap of the divinity which coursed through the physical reality of all of those reborn in the fullest newness which is the eternal nature now of her Son, human because born of her, who was born of the Father from all eternity.

               On Calvary her truly humanly dying Son had passed his physical eyes and the eyes of his mind from one to the other and had designated the beloved Apostle who was mounting daily in an élan of divine love "her Son," and designated Mary, passing daily from glory to glory, even in  the midst of the greatest personal suffering of heart, as "your Mother" and by extension Mother of all men into whom the divine glory will be passed in order to restore to them what was so carelessly rejected. John realised more than the other apostles what this entailed: that men may live for ever, even though they pass through the process of death, which has become not an end but a passage-way to life. For he noted the words of Our Lord: "This is the Bread which comes down from  heaven, that a man may eat therefof and not die" (Jn 6,50). Such thoughts were present among the apostles. When, in almost the last words in the Gospel of John, Peter questioned Our Lord about John: "What shall this man do?" He had felt himself to be inferior to John, but could not grasp the reason why  this should be the case. Jesus found a formula of words which was capable of being interpreted as   entailing personal immortality, and yet accepting the fact of death. "If I will that he remain until I come, what is it to you? Just follow me" (Jn 21,21-2). A safe and sure guidance.

               But the human death of Jesus intervenes, and his body lies in the tomb until the morning of the day after the Jewish Sabbath is ended, when he breathes new life into his truly risen body, which becomes a special instrument of his divinity. He appears at will to his Apostles and other believers, and then Ascends in that body to the heaven which his divinity has never left. That Body is a universal means to salvation, it can be eaten Eucharistically to prepare true believers for their transformation to full images and participants of himself. But it is the way of following him through death to immortality, the way for all believers who anticipate their full participation in heaven, a divinising communicated by a God who communicated all of himself to men.

               In the early days of the Church a persecution  broke out in Jerusalem, of which Stephen was the first martyr. The first thought of John was his need to protect Mary. John's contacts were widespread, and he thought to take her to a pagan place where there must have been such contacts, but where she would be safe. There is no doubt that, at that time, John had been caring for Mary as a sacred responsibility given him by her Son. From small allusions, it has been conjectured that they could have been together, not exactly at Ephesus, but just outside (the traditional place is Salçuk), from 42 – 48. And Ephesus was the centre of the cult of Artemis-Diana. A tradition reports that she died at the age of 63. That could have meant that the Assumption would have taken place there. This was even suggested by a great Pope, Benedict XIV, more than two hundred years ago, who wrote the authoritative work on canonisation. „Leaving for Ephesus, Saint John took Mary with him, and it is from there that the Blessed Mother finally ascended with him from this life into heaven“.[1]

               In that case, perhaps John was the only witness to her Assumption, into which he would have had a special and infallible insight. Amen.

---

[1]   v.  Benedicti XIV, Pont.Opt.Max., Olim Prosperi Card. De Lambertinis, De Festis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, et Beatæ Mariæ Virginis,  Libri Duo (4th edn. Padua 1766),  I §101 (p.192), „Joannem mandata Christi abunde amplevisse, qui omni officio & pietate B. Mariam semper coluit, domi secum habuit, donec mansit in Palestina, profectusque Ephesum eam secum adduxit, ubi tandem Beata Mater ex hac vita ad Cœlum convolavit“.

Photo taken by Fr. Edward OP during his UK visit.

  Father Donald, the previous Abbot, outside Nunraw Abbey - where your editor said Mass; probably in 1954 he was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the Abbey

The Solemnity the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke 1:39-56
                     "The Almighty has done great things for me, he has exalted the lowly."

 

Assumption, 2011                                               Chapter Sermon

• The Assumption of our Lady into heaven is not just another feast of Mary which completes her CV. Nor is it an anniversary which we remember each year and then go on with our own lives.
• Mary’s Assumption reaffirms our belief in the resurrection of Jesus, which is the bedrock of our faith. As St Paul says in writing to the Corinthians, ‘If he has not risen then our faith is dead.’
• The Assumption of Mary expresses our belief that we are all on the road to heaven.  Heaven is the destination we are heading for.  Each morning when we awaken we are moving further along that route.
• Our Lady’s Assumption is the hook on which we hang our belief that she has ascended to be beside her Son in heaven and that our destiny lies in hers. 
• Jesus is truly risen.  That belief underpins our faith; Mary’s Assumption is the confirmation of that truth.  She is the first disciple of her Son.  And she is also the first to experience the full reality of what happened to her Son after his death.  He rose to new life.  She shares that reality in a much fuller way than we can appreciate.  We believe that we are saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus - but not yet!  We still have to battle with our demons and conquer them.  But the power of the risen Jesus is with us to guide and help us and the example of Mary and the saints are also there to encourage and assist us as we travel.
• On this feast of Mary we celebrate that mystery of faith.   We know that we are truly one with the risen Lord and must go on in faith believing that this is so. 
• When Jesus was speaking to the crowd about the bread of life, they didn’t or wouldn’t understand what he was saying and so went away from him.  It was a great act of faith they were being asked to make.  (What would have been our own response if we had been there?)  Jesus then asked his faithful band of disciples if they would go away as well.  Perhaps the disciples were not sure what Jesus was actually saying.  But they knew him and trusted him.  Peter’s reply, ‘Lord to whom shall we go?’ must be ours, too, as we stand before this other great mystery of life after death.  Mary now fully experiences that for herself.  It awaits all of us at the end.
• The road to that glorious place has been mapped out for us.  Sometimes in preparation for an important journey we like to drive over the ground ourselves to make sure we are on the right road. We can then see what lies ahead and be more sure we are going in the right direction. 
• Unfortunately our own inner life journey doesn’t have that kind of precise and clear view of the road ahead.  What we do know is that we will get there if we learn from those who have gone before us. They have shown us how they did it.  We also know that the way we live/the way we drive, the courtesy we show to the others we meet on the way as we go along, and the care we take as we travel, all affect how we get to our destination.
• Like most road maps in today’s world we can’t be sure if the exact route others took is still viable for us as we make the journey ourselves.  Even a satnav warns you to be wary as there may be diversions or road works ahead.  So, even though we know where we want to go, we sometimes need to stop and check where we are.  We may have to turn round to get back on to the proper road, either because we took a wrong turning or the route has been altered slightly.
• Holiness and getting to heaven is not like a carbon copy which we adhere to blindly.  We have to apply the gospel to our life, to our vocation and personal circumstances, so that we finally arrive at the desired goal. 
• The funny thing is that we may all travel in different ways but those who arrive at the ‘pearly gates’ share an uncanny likeness.  They are all transfigured with the same glory that Peter, James and John saw shining on Jesus on the mountain.  That was a foreshadowing of the glory given to the risen Jesus and now to Mary in her assumption into heaven.  Please God it will be a foretaste of what lies ahead for all of us as we daily seek with Mary’s help to stay on that golden road to God.

    

Comment: Precious photo of the monks of Tibhirine in 1996

Dear William,
As with much toil searching in hidden copies of the ATLAS MARTYRS Volumes 1 & 2 they have come to the surface and saved them securly.
It should be easily available in Word Documents and may be attached at request (presently). 


Thank you for your great interest of the Atlas monks.


The kind Birthday greetings are a happy marker of the perfect number, 77 years, as the Psalmist, "Our span is seventy years
or eighty for those who are strong". Ps.89.  
Yours ...
Donald

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: WILLIAM ...
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Thu, 11 August, 2011 9:30:02
Subject: Re: [Blog] Precious to remember the monks of Tibhirine

Dear Father Donald,

 

What a deep delight to 'possess' this photograph of the monks of Tibhirine which I will place in your Vol 2 at p.16 beside the one you obtained and scanned (which I like now to imagine was taken moments earlier before Br. Michel responded to the photographer's request to 'bunch up' by moving down to the front row!).

 

There is always something special to hold one's thoughts and inspire one to reflect and to pray whenever your volumes are opened. The article you reproduce in your Blog contain words that so inspired me 'all those years ago' and which I have always remembered:

 

From experience we know that little things often cost a lot, particularly when we have to go on doing them day after day. It's all right to have to wash one's brothers' feet on Maundy Thursday ... but howabout doing it everyday?...

 

We have given our heart to God once and for all, and we find it hard when he takes it piecemeal.

Taking up an apron, as Jesus did, can be as serious and solemn an act as to lay down one's life ...What is so wonderful about your Blog is that we can all together share in the wonder of these things.

 

With sincere thanks,

...  in Our Lord,

William

 

[Dom Donald's Blog] Precious photo of the monks of Tibhirine in 1996

A Heritage Too Big For Us Vol II : article pp 6-8 : The "martyrdom" of charity Christian de Cherge

 

From experience we know that little things often cost a lot, particularly when we have to go on doing them day after day. It's all right to have to wash one's brothers' feet on Maundy Thursday ... but how about doing it everyday? or washing the feet of anyone who turns up? When Fr.Bernardo (Abbot General) told us that the Order has more need of monks than martyrs, he was not, of course, referring to this type of martyrdom, which is in fact what shapes the monk through so many little things. We have given our heart to God once and for all, and we find it hard when he takes it piecemeal. Taking up an apron, as Jesus did, can be as serious and solemn an act as to lay down one's life ... and conversely, laying down ones life may be as simple as taking up an apron. We should tell ourselves this when the everyday tasks or deeds of love weigh on us with this threat which also has to be shared with all.

Matthew 15:21-28 the Canaanite Woman

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

MATTHEW 15:21-28

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

1. (Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32)

  

The Assumption of Mary is the subject of the mural in the west saucer dome, above the centre aisle, Baltimore Cathedral.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Raymond  . . .
To:
Sent: Sun, 14 August, 2011 9:47:50
Subject: "Woman, you have great faith."Homily by Fr. Raymond  

• The third reading, the Gospel continues on the same theme with the story of the Canaanite woman pleading for a cure for her daughter.  We might consider this story as one part of a Diptych; one story of a pair of stories which complement each other and underline and amplify the meaning of each other.
• The other story of the pair is also a story of a Mother pleading on behalf of her children. The Mother in this case is Our Blessed Lady herself, and that is very providential for us today as we are on the eve of the great feast of Our Lady’s  Bodily Assumption into heaven.
• We can recall how, at the marriage feast of Cana, Our Heavenly Mother was moved with compassion for the new bride and groom when the wine ran out for the feast and how she turned to Jesus with those wonderful and deeply mystical words on her lips:  “They have no wine!”.  Just like the distraught mother in today’s Gospel story, she received a rather off-putting reply.  To Mary Jesus said “My hour has not yet come” and to the Mother of today’s gospel he said: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”  To Mary he says that her request is out of time, and to the Canaanite Mother he says that her request is out of place.  Both requests were therefore inappropriate in one way or another.
• Mary’s reaction is to presume that she has been heard and she directs the servants to “Do whatever he tells you”.   She knew her Son and she knew the influence she had on him. She knew he would not refuse her.  But the poor Canaanite woman!  How was she to respond?  She responded with the only thing that her love for her daughter could do:  she responded with her repeated cries for his pity and with her utter humility: “Even the house dogs can eat of the scraps that fall from the master’s table.” And above all she responded with her faith in him.  “Woman”, Jesus said, “you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.  
  •  
• This woman then, just like you and me, could, by her faith and humility and her persistence, wield a power over Jesus that can be paralleled to the power and influence of Mary his mother.  It may not be as great a power and influence, of course, but the comparing of these  two stories shows that it is just as real.

New Abbot at Pluscarden

To: "Pluscarden Abbey Pluscarden"
Date: Thursday, 11 August, 2011, 10:38.
To Dom Anselm,
At Nunraw we all pray that this new challenge will be a fruitful one for your community and an enriching one for you.With kind regards and God’s blessing

Pluscarden elects new Abbot

9 August  2011

Fr Anselm Atkinson

 Following Abbot Hugh Gilbert’s nomination as Bishop of Aberdeen,   Fr Anselm Atkinson has been elected as the new Abbot of Pluscarden. He was born in Cardiff, in 1956 and brought up in Liverpool. He became a novice at the age of eighteen at Pluscarden. He is the only Pluscarden monk to have been sent to study at Rome. He attended the Biblicum while living at the Curia.

He then returned to Pluscarden where he taught scripture to novices and juniors, he was sent to  was sent to St Mary’s Monastery, at  Petersham, Massachusetts Abbey  to help Fr Cyril.  After Fr Cyril’s death he became Superior and has remained there ever since.  In 2003  Fr Anselm was elected Abbot Visitor of the English Province and followed this role throughout the world. He was elected Abbot of Pluscarden on 9 August.

                                               See also:  http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18349