Dom Donald's Blog: Pelican & Gazelle

Thursday, 8 May 2008

Pelican & Gazelle

Thursday, May 08, 2008 - Divine Mercy Hour

Nunraw Guest House

The visitors are enjoying the first real heat of the Spring. The Word for the Morning Mass for the Guests was on the shining new day of the first heat-wave of this Spring. The bright sunshine has highlighted the winter’s crop of pot holes in the avenue and the gaps in the stone dykes. The volunteers have been setting about the mending and fixing. We think of the mending and fixing in our own inner life. As we approach PENTECOST, the best mender and fixer we have is the Holy Spirit.

The same sun was illuminating the Guest House Chapel for the Divine Mercy Hour of Adoration which is observed on Thursdays at 3 o’clock. I am not sure if it was a great distraction but my eyes looked up at the Historic Ceiling (c.1610). The painting is full of scrolling and windings. For the first time the PELICAN – the great symbol of the Eucharist’ seemed to jump down at me. Afterwards I took the attached photograph. I am not sure how to interpret the two winged figures with human faces and four legged bodies.

On the next panel, since I began taking a closer look at the adjoining panels, I was thrilled to discover the beautiful figure of the GAZELLE which I only ever saw in the flesh on the hills above the Dead Sea. In this painting the Gazelle has a band around its belly extending into the form of a large bow. Someone is surely going to tell me what it all signifies.

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Bernard 900 at Citeaux

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

Vocations Year 2012-2013

The ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux

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 20^th August 2012 to 20^th August 2013. We invite you to join us with this prayer:

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Most gracious Father,
in setting up the New Monasteryour 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.

900 years, anniversary

Bernard arrived 1112-1113

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_bartolomeo_02_Vision_of_St_Bernard_with_Sts_Benedict_and_John_the_Evangelist.jpg