The Death of Dom Ambrose (90) R.I.P Saturday 24 August 2013

Funeral rites for Dom Ambrose

Tuesday, 27 August 2013 17:16

Funeral rites for DOM AMBROSE SOUTHEY

Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

from 1974 to 1990

We are advised that the funeral Mass for Dom Ambrose will be celebrated at the monastery of Mount Saint Bernard this Thursday, 29 August, at 11.00 a.m. The Mass will be presided by Mgr Malcolm McMahon, O.P., Bishop of the diocese of Nottingham (Great Britain), in the presence of Dom Eamon Fitzgerald, Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.

All Trappist communities are especially united in prayer with the brothers of Mount St Bernard, to bid a last adieu to one who devoted himself for so many years to the service of the brothers and sisters of the Order.

The Death of Dom Ambrose

Saturday, 24 August 2013 16:34

THE DEATH OF DOM AMBROSE SOUTHEY

 Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

 1974 to 1990

  D. Ambrose

In the late morning of August 24, 2013, Dom Ambrose Southey died.

Dom Ambrose was born in Whitley Bay (Great Britain). He entered Mount Saint Bernard in 1940 and made solemn profession in 1945 and was ordained a priest in 1948.

He studied Canon Law in Rome from 1951 until 1953. He was named Prior of Mount Saint Bernard and elected abbot of that Community, 9 July, 1959.

He was elected Abbot General of the Order May 7, 1974, and remained in office until the General Chapter of 1990. During that Chapter Dom Ambrose presented his resignation from the ministry of Abbot General.

Later he was named Superior ad nutum of Bamenda Abbey (Cameroun) which he served from 1993 until 1996, and Superior ad nutum of Scourmont Abbey (Belgium) 1996 until 1998. Dom Ambrose later accepted the ministry of Chaplain for the Community of Vitorchiano and remained there until he returned definitively to his community of Stability, Mount Saint Bernard.

He was 90 years old, had been in monastic life for 71 years and 64 years a priest when the Lord called him.

Dom Ambrose is remembered for his generous personal service to all our Communities and his interest in developing the Constitutions of the Order.

    
 D. Ambrose - 2013

(Letters of Dom Ambrose)

1.  

      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mount-St-Bernard-Abbey/120322257677  

   
   
   

   Mount St. Bernard Abbey

   3 hours ago

   We are very sorry to announce the death of Dom Ambrose, who died this morning. He was a very dear member of our community: one-time abbot, as well as Abbot General of the OCSO between 1974 and 1990. He was 90 years old. Please pray for him. You can read more about him on the Order's website:
   http://www.ocso.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=655%3Adeces-de-dom-ambrose&catid=37%3Ageneral-news&Itemid=77&lang=en

Mark Hartley Cistercian

Memorial

• Fr Mark Hartley (1935-23/06/2010)
• Cistercian, Mt. St. Bernard.

By Fr. Nivard (Bamenda)

These are just a few memories of Fr Mark. He entered the noviciate just as I was leaving it. Then after two year he joined me in the Scholasticate. We worked together in the pottery for several years. Here he was very much at home as his mother was a member of a large pottery firm. I don't ever remember us having had at least a hot argument. He was peaceable by nature and very easy to live with. Like a true friend he never hesitated to correct my erring ways when necessary.

Mark was always most helpful to me especially in the liturgy and music, right up until my recent visit. His was a very positive and encouraging character. In the early days at Bamenda he sent me sermons to help me out when I was extra busy. He did a great job in helping Fr Alban in packing and sending of the crates for the foundation in Bamenda.

As Guest Master, he was very welcoming and always gave me VIP treatment on my rare visits from Bamenda. Again as manager of the Gift Shop he showed his kindness and generosity. Indeed when there was question of a new Bursar, there was fear that he might be too generous!

He did a great job in extending and stream-lining the Gift Shop. He got the design from an architect. The result is very beautiful, with plenty of light and open space. The extension is at a higher level and the central stairway is a show piece. You can see through the steps to a lower level, devoted to its own type of items. Mark had Peter , Guest helper, install the bar code system to facilitate ordering, storage and sales of items, etc.

During the Seminar on St Aelred, we happened to be side by side on the front row. He made notes and enjoyed Fr Michael Casey’s PowerPoint Presentation. But towards the end he tended to doze.

We were both members of the coach load that went to Rivaulx and onto Ampleforth for lunch and tea with the Sisters of New Stanbrook a little further on. In both places he met many friends as he was well known because of his activities as a member and one time president of the Panel of Monastic Musicians. This was his last outing before he died.

Mark had a talent for the piano. He once played the ‘Kangaroo’ song so much that his mother had to hide the piano. He began playing the organ after his simple profession and continued to improve and practice all through his life until the very end, even in his room. His mother presented the Abbey with a very fine Allen Organ on his Silver Jubilee. His Sunday Voluntaries were very well done. Br William of Bamenda once sang ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ at an Ordination Mass in Mount St Bernard and Mark played the organ. William said that Mark was the best accompanist he ever had. Mark had a good voice and was one of the cantors. He conducted the weekly singing practice for quite a while.

Fr Mark has fought the good fight and run the course. I am sure he will receive the warmest of welcomes from our Heavenly Father and brethren and relatives who have gone before him. May he rest in Peace.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

After Funeral (Fri. 2nd July)

Peter, (well known to Fr. Mark), writes:

“Today we buried our good friend Mark at Mt St Bernard Abbey. The Abbot asked me to be an Usher at the funeral – which neatly kept me busy. There were in excess of 320 people there. At the end a bus load of Nigerians turned up and turned the period after the Service and burial into a great party. For the monastery this was utterly unusual, but Mark had been good to them too, and they showed their appreciation. They also sang the Offertory hymn: I am the bread of life. this was quite rousing, given that it was played with drums and other African instruments and great voice from their number. The Abbot invited everyone present for lunch. ...

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Office of the Dead

Community Monthly Memorial of the Dead

We remember Fr. Mark Hartley ocso Mount Saint Bernard whose Funeral this morning.

… and anniversary of an neighbour associate, (his Cross).

Collect: For Brethren, Relatives and Benefactors

Lord God,

as you are the fount of mercy and wish all men to be saved:

have mercy then on our deceased brethren, relatives, associates and benefactors.

Through the intercession of Blessed Mary ever-virgin, and of all your saints, bring them to the fellowship of' eternal joy.

A READING ABOUT THE DEATH OF
A 12th.CENTURY MONK OF CLAIRVAUX.

There lived in the monastery of Clairvaux a monk called Alquirin who was skilled in the art of medicine, and so nobles and great men of that region were always asking his help and drawing him, unwilling and resisting, to many places. Yet he was always solicitous about the poor and needy and would go to any lengths to cure them. Not only did he treat their sicknesses and wounds, but he tended with his own hands their putrid flesh and ulcered limbs with such care that it was as if he were caring for the wounds of Christ. And this really was so, he did everything for Christ, and Christ received eve­rything he did as being done for him, so that at the end he could say to him what was said of those who do works of mercy, 'I was sick and you visited me'.

Having lived, this life in this praiseworthy manner, the time came when he would receive in eternity the reward of his labours and his works of mercy, and he fell ill and neared his end. His Abbot came to visit him, and asked him what he was doing and how he was. He replied, 'My Father all is very well with me, because I am going to my Lord.' The Abbot asked him: 'But are you not suffering in body and do you not fear the agony of death?’ The monk replied, ‘I look upon it all with tranquillity and joy, because I have received beforehand from the Lord the blessings of sweetness, and that has taken all sorrow from my heart and nearly all pain from my body.'

Then the Abbot asked him, 'I beg you, my dear brother, for the love of God and for our edification , tell us anything that God has revealed to you.'

To which he replied, 'Before you came in, I saw, miserable and unworthy though I am, the Lord Jesus who looked at me with a kind and serene expression and showed me the marks of his Passion’, saying "Lo your sins are taken away from before my face, Come and kiss my wounds which you have tended so often."

I was so strengthened by this promise that I do not now fear to die.'

(from an article in the Fairacres Chronicle Spring 1984. The Death of the Saints in some 12th (Century Sources by Sister Benedicta Ward. )

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance

(Trappists)

Obituary

Father Mark Hartley ocso

23 June 2010 : Father Mark Hartley. Born in 1935 in Staffordshire (Great Britain), he entered Mount St Bernard in 1954 and made his solemn profession in 1960. He was ordained priest in 1964. Father was 74 years old, had been in monastic vows for 53 years and 45 years a priest when the Lord called him.

Mount St Bernard Abbey