ABBEY NOTES Osservatore Romano
Abbey Notes
Fr. Elias Lorenzo, OSB welcomed the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to Sant’ Anselmo for the annual Ash Wednesday procession and liturgy to mark the start of Lent. During the liturgy at Santa Sabina, the Dominican church on the Aventine, Fr. Elias received ashes from the Holy Father.
By Rev. Edward Seton Fittin, OSB ’82
Abbot Gerard Lair, O.S.B., as part of the abbey’s Adult Education program, offered a three-part lecture: Gospel Portraits of Mary. This series focused on the distinct portrayals of Mary, mother of Jesus, in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. Abbot Gerard offered the same series at St. Joseph Church, High Bridge. In January Fr. Gabriel Coless, O.S.B. hosted the annual Twelfth Night celebration of the Herb Society, Northern New Jersey Unit, in the Vincent House conference room. About twenty-four members and friends were on hand to enjoy the seasonal herbal confections, including mulled wine. He also spent some time in the Wick Garden adjacent to the Tempe Wick house in the Morristown National Historical Park. The main task was to cut back some of the rampant herbs such as Joe Pye, comfrey, coneflower, peony, mint, etc. At Drew University, Fr Gabriel offered a seminar entitled “Women’s Experience of God in the Middle Ages”, using the extensive writings of Hildegard of Bingen as a catalyst for exploring other notable women such as Gertrude of Helfta and Julian of Norwich. Much of this material was compressed for three lectures in the Abbey’s adult education program in March. Fr. Benet Caffrey, O.S.B. and Fr. Gabriel were asked to help the Mansion In May Historical Committee, led by
Valerie Marr, to translate mottos, and to explicate and identify a number of heraldic devices located at Glynallyn, the noted “castle” in Convent Station, this year’s Mansion in May. “Thank God for Google and Wiki,” reports Fr. Benet! He continues: “We visited the place several times, spent at good deal of time on the project, and came up with some interesting stuff, at least the Mansion folks thought so. We shall see how much of it gets into their program.” The two classicist monks were delighted to participate in this worthy cause to benefit Morristown Medical Center. Fr. Beatus Lucey, O.S.B. offered three talks in the March Abbey Adult Education program: Looking at Christian Art. Fr. Beatus happily continues to celebrate the Sunday liturgy at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, with the Sisters of Charity. He also offers a scripture program at the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon every Friday morning. At Christ the King and the Morristown Club Fr. Beatus regularly conducts a book club where “excellent conversation” happens, according to Fr. Beatus.
From Rome, Fr. Elias Lorenzo, O.S.B. reports he attended in December the Praesidium Advisory Board meeting in Arlington, TX. In February Fr. Elias was state-side again to attend at St. Joseph's Abbey, Louisiana, the annual meeting of the North American abbots. Attendees enjoyed a talk by the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen). While there Fr. Elias also promoted support for Sant’ Anselmo, updated meeting attendees on the upcoming Congress of Abbots, and reported on the International Conference of Benedictine Educators, of which Delbarton is a founding member. Back just in time for Ash Wednesday, on February 22, Fr. Elias and Abbot Primate Notker Wolf welcomed the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to Sant’ Anselmo for the annual Ash Wednesday procession and liturgy to mark the start of Lent. During the liturgy at Santa Sabina, the Dominican church on the Aventine, Fr. Elias received ashes from the Holy Father himself (See photo, courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper)!
On February 10, 2012, the feast of St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict, several of the community attended Vespers and dinner at St. Walburga Monastery, Elizabeth, home of the Benedictine sisters who arrived in New Jersey in 1857, the same years as the monks. Present for liturgy and the festive meal were formation director, Fr. Hilary O’Leary, O.S.B., Fr. Gabriel, Fr. Rembert Reilly, O.S.B., Br. James Konchalski, O.S.B., Br. Jonathan Hunt, O.S.B., and Fr. Edward Seton Fittin, O.S.B . The communities of Elizabeth and Morristown have a long history of support, close friendship and collaboration, including two members who were siblings: Sr. Germaine Fritz, O.S.B. and the late Fr. Germain Fritz, O.S.B. Fr. Rembert’s cousin, Sr. Martin Elizabeth Duffy, O.S.B., is also a member of the Elizabeth community. Also present was alumnus, Msgr. Gerard McCarren ’83. Ss. Benedict and Scholastica, pray for us!
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