Friday after Ash Wednesday. Fr. Mattew, MSB, RIP

Friday, 07 March 2014

  Lent Mass. Introduction: Fr. Nivard   

Gospel St Matthew 9:14-15.

...The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Community Mass – today we had the special memory of Fr. Mattew OCSO,  who has died in Mount St. Bernard Abbey.       

Ash Friday . . . They will fast when the Bridegroom departs.org.uk 

On Friday, 7 March 2014,

Fr. Nivard: wrote:

Magnificat adapted

Ash Frid 7 Mar 2014 Mt 7_14-15

When the bridegroom departs they will fast

   Fasting is a form of self-deprivation that deepens our appreciation of and longing for the food we really need.    

   Christ's disciples do not fast because they have given themselves over to Jesus who is their Food.

   We fast in order to seek him day after day and to desire more to know his ways.

   We fast so that this Lent Christ will become our All.

Father, help us to hunger for you,

   to know you more.

   Let us now come to you:

   our hearts are yours;

   possess them always

   and only for yourself,

                      through Christ our Lord.

Fw: Fr Matthew Dunn. Some Memories and picture in Mount Saint Bernard Abbey.  

On Friday, 7 March 2014, 17:11,

From: Nivard . ...:

Fr Matthew Dunn. Some Memories ...

March 6, 2014:

 Father Matthew Dunn was born in 1936 in Liverpool (Great Britain).

Matthew went to Freshfield Mill Hill College for his secondary education. The college was mainly for boys aspiring to be Mill Hill Missionaries. He then went to the Mill Hill Missionary Major Seminary in Roosendal, Holland, to study Philosophy. While there his thoughts turned to the contemplative life and he visited the nearby Cistercian Trappist Monasery of Zundert. They suggested that he pay a visit to Mt Saint Bernard Abbey, Leicester.

He entered Mount St Bernard in 1957, made his solemn profession in 1962 and was ordained a priest in 1964. He was then sent to Rome where he obtained a degree in Sacred Scripture. He taught Scripture to the young monks for some time. He then took charge of the piggery with some success and enjoyed the work.

He then went on loan to Our Lady of Bamenda, Cameroon, as assistant novice master. He later became novice master, and after some years made his stability in Bamenda. He taught Scripture most of his time there. When signs of deterioration in his mental health began to increase he returned to Mt Saint Bernard and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. In his failing years Father was very well looked after by the Community, the Infirmarian and Carer with great kindness and understanding. For all this the monks of Bamenda are most grateful.

Father was a good community man with a ready smile. The young monks found him very approachable. He was very faithful to choir and the daily routine. As he approached the end he spent much time in his choir stall. Like Fr Andrew Ward of Mellifont Abbey, he was a true monk and missionary. He had pneumonia when he died peacefully in the Lord.

Father was 77 years old, had been in monastic vows for 54 years

and 49 years a priest when the Lord called him. 

Fr Donald and I said our Masses for the repose of his soul this morning. 

May he rest in peace.