Oratory Closed to General Public
June 29, 2020
Given the very small space available for retreatants and guests, our monastic Oratory remains closed to the general public.
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Given the very small space available for retreatants and guests, our monastic Oratory remains closed to the general public.
Interesting times we live in. We are on lock down as well. Our retreat house closed Sunday after a retreat. As well as our book store. We are telling our employees to not come into work for the time being, but we will still pay them. Many people live from pay check to pay check.
We have a lot of elderly monks here (I guess I am one of them).
I wonder how this experience that we in the United States are going through will change things. I guess on an unconscious level I always thought that we would always be beyond what much of the world goes through. Yet here we are.
Even if more or less at peace, at least for me, there is a pall of concern that feels like a dark, cloud. I have to accept that, I am sure I am not alone in this.
It is good to keep tabs on the deep instinctive emotions and feelings that are always ready to surface. It is also good to keep in mind that life is always ‘iffy’, at this time, we just can’t pretend it isn’t.
Again, one’s faith can give meaning to what is going on. Which I believe is very important, for, without meaning, all we can do is drift, and fight for survival.
I talked to a good friend last night who is a doctor. He let me know bad it is where he is at. They have more deaths than being posted. The reason is the those who are dying were not diagnosed with the Carnivorous. Yet those who work in hospitals know better.
He told me he was worried about me, because of some of my underlying health issues, which to tell you the truth, shocked me. It was just hearing it stated by a good friend.
I guess this pandemic is forcing many of us to make a prolonged mediation on our mortality. Which is not morbid, but actually a very important aspect of life to dwell on from time to time.
All we can do is do the best we can, be calm, and then it will be over, if perhaps, things may not be back to normal.–BrMD
May Our Lord bless and protect you all.
God bless you all. If it becomes possible for you to livestream your services, you will have a grateful audience.
Dear Father Prior –
I just translated this awesome prayer below today , composed in March 2020 by the Bishop of Vannes . It is being used and widely promoted in France because it is so very beautiful and complete. Thank you for sharing it . I had forgotten about it these past weeks and was strongly nudged this morning when I watched the live televised Mass at Saint Anne d’Auray in Brittany. Bishop Centene presided and at more than one moment , he appeared to be on the verge of tears. His homily was very prophetic and he says that because the Mass has become a “spectacle”, the Lord has withdrawn His Presence from our churches. Wow. First time I have heard a BISHOP say that. I will pray about translating the homily , too. In the meantime, here is his ACT of Spiritual Communion. Perhaps you would write a brief comment on the difference between a prayer and an act ? There is a shift in “intention”, it seems to me. Act of Contrition. Act of Faith. Act of Hope. Act of Love.… are some other major examples.
In His Eucharistic Heart, votre enfant – Lucy
Here is the ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION:
Lord Jesus, I firmly believe that You are present in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. I love you above all things and I desire You with all my soul. My body longs for you, like a parched land thirsts for water (Psalm 62) .
I desire to receive You today with all the love of the Virgin Mary, and with the joy and fervor of the saints.
I am not able to receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually and visit my soul.
In this time of absence, may the Eucharistic fast to which I am presently bound, allow me to partake in Your sufferings and above all, in the sentiment of abandonment that You experienced upon the Cross when you cried out: “My God, my God why have you abandoned me?”
May this sacramental fast allow me to partake in the sentiments of Your Most Holy Mother and Saint Joseph, when they lost You in the temple at Jerusalem, and in the sentiments of Your Holy mother when she received You, lifeless, at the foot of the Cross.
May this Eucharistic fast allow me to partake in the sufferings of Your mystical Body, the Church, everywhere in the world where persecution or absence of priests have rendered all sacramental life impossible.
May this sacramental fast allow me to comprehend that the Eucharist is a superabundant gift of Your love, and not something owed to me in view of my spiritual comfort.
May this Eucharistic fast be in reparation for all the times that I have ever received You with an unprepared heart, with lukewarm indifference, without love and without thanksgiving.
May this sacramental fast deepen more and more my hunger to receive You, truly and substantially present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, when circumstances will once again permit it.
And until that time, Lord Jesus, come visit us spiritually by Your grace to strengthen us in our trials and tribulations.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.
Partial indulgence is granted , under the usual conditions.
Mgr Raymond Centene- Bishop of Vannes (Brittany, France) – Lent 2020