O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi Sept 14. Today we had the joy of having Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, the Prefect of the Congregation of Religious life, as our main celebrant and guest of the MGM. The Cardinal is Brazilian and well known by some of our Latin American superiors.

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Mass in the basilica

We started the second week of the Mixed General Chapters celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross with a mid morning Mass in the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built over the Proziuncula, the tiny, beautiful chapel of the time of St. Francis. This Feast was the opening day of the General Chapter in Cîteaux for centuries, and thus has a special significance for our Order. Today we had the joy of having Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, the Prefect of the Congregation of Religious life, as our main celebrant and guest of the MGM. The Cardinal is Brazilian and well known by some of our Latin American superiors.

For our daily morning Mass we use a large hall in Domus Pacis, and it was a special joy to have the mass in the basilica, where the beauty of the Gregorian chant was enlarged under the high vaults. A large part of the abbots and priests at the MGM concelebrated, and it gives an extra experience of the universal Church when you see so many priests from different parts of the world walking up the isles. At this MGM we have our two former Abbot Generals present, Dom Ambrose Southey, former abbot  of Mt. St. Bernard, and Dom Bernardo Olivera, present abbot of Azul, who were at the main altar together with the Cardinal and the abbot general, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald.

Cardinal Braz de Aviz gave his homily in Italian, and there was no translation given. But if you know a little bit of Latin, a little bit of French and a little bit of Spanish, and you know the gospel of the day, you can guess some of his points with a certain surety. As far as I could understand, he spoke about how we transmit our faith, not through proselytism, but passing on the interior experience. Christ is looking at us from the cross, seeing our lives from this perspective. Our society rejects suffering and limitations, but there is no other way to God than through the cross. By contemplating the mystery of the cross, the contradictions it presents us with, we can give this serene witness of our faith. It is the Lord of Heaven and Earth who is crucified, showing us that God has a human heart, yet so much greater. Through being crucified, Jesus showed that nobody can deny that he or she is loved by God. The graces the Church gives us enable us to live this love of God. He encouraged us to follow the way our founders pointed out, living according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

The Mass can be seen on the web site http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17261759

About saints and miracles

Wednesday was also used for the work in the mixed commissions on the House Reports. But we did take time to listen to a few reports in a short plenary session. One was about the Central Secretary of formation, who has to be elected after sr. Katharina of Nazareth resigned in April this year due to too work commitments in her community.

The other report was about the work of the postulator, Sr. Augusta of Vitorchiano:

The canonization of our Brother Rafael of San Isidro in Spain took a lot of work, but now this young Cistercian oblate is well known. He was chosen as one of the patrons of the World Youth Day in Madrid in August, and there has been catechesis and presentations about him in Spain.

The sanctity of the young Sardinian sister Gabriella of Vitorchiano is well known all over the world, because of the interest for ecumenism. (She gave her life for the unity of the Church.)

This is also the case of our brothers of Tibhirine. The cause for their beatification continues: The historical commission will probably finish their work by the end of this year, the theological censors theirs at the beginning of next year. Perhaps the diocesan process can be closed in the coming year, and then the Roman phase will start: Count on that taking ten years at least,says sr. Augusta in her report.

In this period of time other things may come up entering the cause, documents from outside the regular processes, eventual developments and findings of the juridical inquiry, and anything that could be useful for arriving at a calm and truthful verdict about their sanctity. The cause of our brothers of Tibhirine was not introduced by our Order, but by the diocese of Argel, but the Order is involved in cases that deals with its members.

The postulator has refused to present the request of La Oliva for the introduction of the cause of brother Zacarias because the documentation is meager and the fame of his holiness is not widely spread. She has also declined the request of lay people for the introduction of the cause of father Filiberto Guala of Frattocchie.

The work of the postulator includes much correspondence, sending of materials, information and publications, translations, and examining of reports of graces received. – Sometimes these are important, but no real miracles, she says in her report: - Any case not accompanied by serious documentation is immediately discarded. If the documentation is good I give it to sisters who are medical doctors or other specialists to examine. In 99 % of the cases there are natural explanations. So I have disregarded the presumed miracle of Michael Tansi and another attributed to Fr. Romano Bottegal.

So, no big news, says sr. Augusta.

Miracles or not, documentations or not, the call to sanctity remains!

Sr. Hanne-Maria of Tautra

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi On the feast of the Exhaltation of the Cross (14/9)

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi

 

On the feast of the Exhaltation of the Cross (14/9), Archbishop João Bráz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Liffe and Societies of Apostolic Life will preside at the Eucharist in the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels at 11.00 local time. 

The celebration will be streamed online, please CLICK HERE to watch.

Grapes and cotoneaster

All day Tuesday the work of the Mixed General Chapters was on the House Reports in the mixed commissions, the reports written by the members of each individual monastery. It is a thorough listening not only to what the written report says, but also to the superior  of the community. The father immediate is consulted and brought into the commission when needed.

As all that is happening in the commissions is confidential, I decided there wouldn’t be much to write about today, and went for a walk during the break after lunch. It was a beautiful experience of  the modern town of Assisi in daylight. The other days I have walked from the house Gesu Bambino, where some of us live, in the morning before daybreak, when the moon is still golden and Orion and Sirius can be seen above the dome of the basilica, and have returned in the dark at night.

Now it was a warm, warm but not too hot day – a warmth that is never felt on the Norwegian island of Tautra where my monastery is. I had time to take a closer look at the many unknown trees and bushes that make up the beautiful parks around the houses where our MGM is held. Oleander with pink flowers, cotoneaster with orange berries, and lots of hanging vines with ripe grapes. In the shadow of the tall trees there was a gentle, welcome breeze, inviting to a longer break than I had. But we got some good news this morning – we will have a day’s break in the work next Wednesday. Until then we can go on enjoying the intense work of love, listening and concern for one another.

Sr. Hanne-Maria of Tautra 

Exaltation of the Holy Cross 14 Sep - Via Dolorosa - Holy Sepulchre

Orthodox Calendar

September 14      
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross    


Photo Gallery » Holy Sepulchre - Exaltation of the Holy Cross 14 Sep

Pictures from Exaltation 14 Sep 2009

Pictures from Exaltation 14 Sep 2009

Entry of Holy Sepulchre

Holy Sepulchre Pictures from Exaltation 14 Sep

Pictures from Exaltation 14 Sep 2009

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi Sept 12

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi

 

Love means good family relations

Monday morning gave the capitulants an occasion for applaud after applaud, just like at the end of a most wonderful concert or theatre performance. At the MGM in Assisi it was our brother abbot general of the Cistercian Order, Dom Mauro Guiseppe  Lepori, who was met with the overwhelming applaud. It was a clear sign of the good relations that has been built up between the two Orders  of the Cistercians over the last 10 – 15 years, but also an attribute to Dom Mauro’s personal charism and interesting presentation to the MGM.

Dom Mauro was the abbot of Haute Rive in Switzerland until he was elected abbot general last year. He is well known by a great number of abbots and abbesses in our Order, a fruit of the extensive cooperation that has been over the years through regional and central formation programs and superior meetings.

Our abbot general Dom Eamon introduced Dom Mauro letting us know what warm welcome our sister Order gave him when he first greeted their synod. Dom Mauro said that one of his tasks as abbot general is to promote the good relations between our two Orders:

·                     The press has exaggerated when they said I want to make us into one Order – we haven’t come that far yet.

After giving a very open and interesting presentation of his Order and the situation of the 33 congregations of the Order, sharing some of the pain and troubles they are facing, he addressed the relationship between our Orders.

The friendship between our monasteries is very palpable. I want to thank you for all the times you have supported our monasteries when they have experienced difficulties. In both Orders we see that for example in Italy we have some monasteries who are struggling, others that are thriving: Maybe this is an area where we could work together analyzing the situation? I also think we could work together promoting the case of beatification of monks and nuns from our common history. It would be a favorable time now, with a German Pope, to ask for Gertrud of Helfta to become a Doctor of the Church.

Another great and long applaud for Dom Mauro at this point.

He gave a picture of his Order as being in a great crisis, but at the same time with a flourishing congregation in Vietnam where they have 14 monasteries with 900 members. But other places there is great fragility with aging, drop in numbers and few vocations.

My priority is that we have to support one another, show friendship and love making a journey and a visit. We can’t just close a house because they are not living the monastic life well. We have to simplify and adjust to a new situation. Brotherly love can heal and build up. Conversion is the fruit of love and the greatest miracle of the Holy Spirit. I have seen this in a community with great interior divisions. Everything is possible for God. We have to pray for a conversion of heart, and it happens, by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Rather than closing a house where it seems that the life has become decadent, we must try to listen and find solutions together. It is not easy, we have to pray.

There were many in the assembly who had questions to Dom Mauro, and since several knew him well, the questions were open and direct, and he replied in a similar way. Dom Bernardo of Novo Mundo asked him to repeat to the chapters what he had said visiting them in Brasil:

·                     The problem for the rich young man was not so much giving up his riches as Jesus invited him to do, but to stand the loving regard of Jesus. Yes, this is the question, to be able to receive the love of Christ, not with fear but with openness to what then will happen next. We have to come with love, support and help.

Both Sunday afternoon, half of Monday morning and Monday afternoon is used for work in the commissions. We are grateful for all the prayers for this work of brotherly and sisterly love.

Sr. Hanne-Maria of Tautra

Name of Mary, Monastic Devotion: Cistercians, Carthusians, Olivetan, Silvestrine Benedictines, and some others give to each and every monk and nun the sweet Name of Mary, as a sign of mystical identification with her.

MONDAY 12^th September, MASS

Monday of the Twenty- Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

THE HOLY NAME OF MARY     Optional memorial

Our salvation begins when an archangel speaks the name of Mary. To be Christian is to carry on that Annunciation unceasingly.
Saint Louis de Montfort wrote that "the salvation of each individual is bound up with the Hail Mary".
This prayer that names the holy name of the Mother of God "brought to a dry and barren world the Fruit of Life. It will cause the Word of God to take root in the soul and bring forth Jesus."

The holy name of Mary bears such power because of the unique bond between Mother and Son. "
When God sent his Son born of a woman, he instituted a once and for all order of salvation in which the unionf Mother and Child stands at the centre" (Romanus Cessario). To accept the divine privilege of speaking the name of Mary is to participate in that saving union .

The Holy Name of Mary

• Richard of Saint Laurence states “there is not such powerful help in any name, not is there any other name given to men, after that of Jesus, from which so much salvation is poured forth upon men as from the name of Mary." He continues, "that the devout invocation of this sweet and holy name leads to the acquisition of superabundant graces in this life, and a very high degree of glory in the next."
• The Abbot Francone, speaking on this subject, says, "there is no other name after that of the Son, in heaven or on earth, whence pious minds derive so much grace, hope, and sweetness." After the most sacred name of Jesus, the name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace, hope, and sweetness.
• Hence Richard of Saint Laurence "encourages sinners to have recourse to this great name," because it alone will suffice to cure them of all their evils; and "there is no disorder, however malignant, that does not immediately yield to the power of the name of Mary." The Blessed Raymond Jordano says, "that however hardened and diffident a heart may be, the name of this most Blessed Virgin has such efficacy, that if it is only pronounced that heart will be wonderfully softened." Moreover, it is well known, and is daily experienced by the clients of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity. In fine, "thy name, O Mother of God, is filled with divine graces and blessings," as Saint Methodius says. So much so, that Saint Bonaventure declares, "that thy name, O Mary, cannot be pronounced without bringing some grace to him who does so devoutly." ... Grant, o Lady, that we may often remember to name thee with love and confidence; for this practice either shows the possession of divine grace, or else is a pledge that we shall soon recover it. SAINT ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI (+ 1787), a bishop, founded the Redemptorists. He is a Doctor of the Church. From Traditional Roman Catholicism: The Holy Name of Mary. www.traditionalromancatholicism.org/TheHolyNameofMary.

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   http://airmaria.com/  

Great apostles of the Holy Name of Mary have been Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux says, “O most holy Virgin Mary, your name is so sweet and admirable that one cannot say it without becoming inflamed with love toward God and toward you.”  Others of particular note are St. Louis Marie de Montfort, St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Maximilian Kolbe. The Holy Father, Bl. John Paul II, choose as his motto Totus Tuus which is to say, “I am all yours (Mary).”

ocso-mgm, The theme of this Sunday’s readings and Dom David’s (Tarrawarra, Aus)homily is well illustrated in the work of the MGM these last days.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

O.C.S.O. M G M - 2011 Assisi

 

  Peace Maker

·                What did Dom David say about pace makers?

·                Pace makers? Who? When?

·                In his homily - ?

                               

Oh, it was just the Australian accent. In Europe and America we say PEACE makers.

The language is a continual challenge. Some of us didn’t even notice, being used to hear an Australian pronunciation of the English language. But yes, being peace makers we a theme and a prayer from this morning’s homily about forgiveness. Dom David, the abbot of Tarrawarra in Australia, took his inspiration from St. Cyprian of Carthage:

St. Cyprian taught his people in Carthage that Christian prayer is prayer in the plural. He was commenting on the Lord’s Prayer and highlighted this in the words Jesus gave us: Our Father… give us…our daily bread… forgive us as we forgive.. and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”….reminding his people that they were a “people united in the unity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The truth that the Father, Son and Spirit have desired to share this one life and one love with the human race is the amazing significance of the presence and action of God in the world. God, our Father , our Savior, our Sanctifier, is lovingly and actively present in our world drawing us into unity, into community.

Dom David reminded us of the situation in St. Cyprian’s Carthage after the persecution – a far from idyllic one, with the church divided between those who had lapsed and those who had been faithful and suffered – between the “them” and “us”. And it is in this situation he reminds the Christians that they are to be peacemakers of one mind and one heart, with the prayer “OurFather… forgive us our trespasses as we forgive…”

In this Sunday High Mass we remembered all those died in violence since the attack on the Twin Towers ten years ago. But coming to the Our Father in the liturgy, it was a different language: Pater noster qui es in coelis…

In earlier General Chapters the Mass has been celebrated in different of the four official languages of the Order: English, French, Spanish and Japanese. This year it was decided to celebrate Lauds and Mass in common for the whole assembly, not split into language groups, the same for Tierce and Non prayed in the Aula, and split into language groups only for Vespers. It certainly is a nice and strong experience that we celebrate Mass together, not letting the confusion of Babel divide us. And it is interesting to experience how well it works with the common of the liturgy in Latin, the proper sung and the readings read in various languages. Still Latin is well enough known to have a unifying effect, although there are also some for whom it is completely alien.

This morning it was the Region of the Oriens who was responsible for the liturgy of the Mass, with the readings in Japanese and another oriental language that is not one of the official ones. The homily given in English was also printed in the other languages, so everybody would follow.

The theme of this Sunday’s readings and Dom David’s homily is well illustrated in the work of the MGM these last days. We are moving into heavier work, looking at areas that need special attention, action and prayer. “On this special day of Sunday we will work as normal, “says the moderator, praying that our lives may be signs of peace. And for this to happen, we need to address those areas that are not peaceful and do not build up peace. For peace to reign, truth is needed, and this demands careful listening, knowledge and wisdom. Part of this is also acknowledging hurts and shortcoming. Dom David expressed it like this in his homily:

              St. Benedict too, knew both the monastic community’s high call to unity in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and its fragility and daily need of reconciliation…

We have heard special reports on special problems in certain communities, and are now working in the commissions addressing this on a local level. Called to be peace makers.

Sr. Hanne-Maria of Tautra

COMMENT Matthew 18:21-35 Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

COMMENT: Ronald Knox & Ronald Cox quotation

Memorial Grove, 7 Trees.
Seven Monks of Our Lady of Atlas
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Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (The Gospel Story, Knox-Cox p.185).

Our Lord's reply does away with all counting and book-keeping; if a man is sorry, always forgive him, no matter how many times he offends. ('Seventy times seven' is a scriptural expression for a great number, Genesis 4, 24.)

And the parable explains the reason why: we are all bankrupts, all beggars, all sinners; we have merited the torments of hell. Since God has remitted so much, the least we can do is to be easy creditors ourselves. Un-forgiveness is especially heinous in the forgiven.

The parable is based on oriental monarchies and their laws.

The punishment of wife and family was an accepted principle (Joshua 7, 24); torture was used often to force the prisoner to reveal hidden wealth. The contrast between the two debts is about a million to one; like a drop of water compared to the boundless ocean, says St. John Chrysostom. The first debtor must have been an official of the king, to have the use of so much money; an apt allusion to Peter, the vicar of Christ. Possibly 'ten thousand' is a reference to the ten commandments, which sinful man has broken; they represent the long list of debts in­curred with God. 

Mt. 18:21-35 the Christian mystery summed up in that one word “Forgiveness”.

'Don't fence me in.'

Mass Homily - Fr, Raymond

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Raymond    
Sent: Sunday, 11 September 2011, 18:42
Subject: Forgiveness

FORGIVENESS

When we speak of forgiveness we imply that there has been an injury done to us, some hurt or harm done to us. Something physical or something mental, some-thing that pains us in one way or another.  In fact, as we are all too well aware, mental pain can be so much worse than any physical pain.

However, the pain that we cause ourselves by our own resentment and unwillingness to forgive is far greater and deeper than any injury that comes from outside us.  It can be a cancer that eats into our hearts, and its pain is all the greater for being self inflicted.  We can, to some extent, evade the blows of an enemy, but we can never escape the torture we inflict on ourselves in this kind of way.

The only escape for us is by forgiveness, in fact the whole of the Christian mystery is summed up in that one word “Forgiveness”.   “Forgiveness” is almost what defines us as Christians. It is how we measure up to Jesus on the cross saying:  “Father forgiven them for they know not what they do”.

Life is mostly a matter of relationships and when we are unforgiving we weaken a relationsip, we distance ourselves from someone.  When we forgive, we heal that relationship we come nearer to that person again.   Someone who had died to us is brought back to life for us.

Through estrangement someone was cut out of our lives and we became the poorer for it. Through forgiveness that someone is brought back into our lives and we are enriched again.

These are so many considerations to help us to forgive when we are hurt in some way.  But Jesus gives us another, and perhaps more compelling, reason for being ready to  forgive:

He reminds us that we are all sinners and are all in need of God’s forgiveness and if we are unwilling to forgive those who trespass against us then God will be unwilling to forgive us our trespasses.  And how great are our sins against God when compared to the sins of our brother against us.