Mount Saviour Monastery

November 2018 The Sermon on the Dish News:
The month began with the Solemnity of All Saints and the fall foliage seemed to join in the celebration. The leaves at long last were at peak color. That usually happens here around Columbus Day. The following day the community gathered in the monk's cemetery for remembrance and prayers for our deceased brothers. On the 5th and then again the following day Brother Bruno made two trips to New Jersey to transport sheep to auction.

On the 7th we heard from Abbot Anselm Atkinson who was attending the Subiaco Cassinese Council of Visitors meeting. He informed us Mount Saviour had been accepted unconditionally and permanently into the Congregation and into the English Province as an autonomous monastery. The Subiaco Cassinese Congregation is a religious institute belonging to the Monastic Order of Saint Benedict which aggregates more than a hundred monasteries spread through every continent. As of 2013 there were 1,329 members. The congregation was formed with the aim of rediscovering the ancient simplicity of the monastic life, which had become obscured over the centuries. Its houses are similar to Mount Saviour. They tend to be focused more on an enclosed contemplative life rather than pastoral involvement with the larger community through the operations of schools or parishes. The announcement by Abbot Anselm brings to a conclusion a process that began back in 2012 when Mount Saviour first asked to be incorporated into the Congregation. The result is that our monastery is in communion with similar Benedictine houses throughout the world from which we can draw upon the resources and expertise a Congregation provides in areas like Canon Law, finance, liturgy, networking, etc.

On the 11th Ms. Pat Brisson presented a reading of her spiritual poetry as part of the Friends of Mount Saviour Series. Pat is a children's book author with many titles to her credit. The 15th brought the first real snowstorm of the season with our area receiving a general 12 inch snowfall. The storm did not prevent Brother Bruno from taking this year's final load of sheep to New Jersey on the 19th. Brother Dominic Savio returned from seminary with two deacons in tow on the 20th to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with us. Next it was Brother Savio's turn to be in tow. The monastery car that is on loan to him unexpectedly quit while returning to the seminary on the 25th. In between, on the 23rd, the thermometer registered -1 degree and was accompanied by strong winds. At the end of the month the ground remained covered in white which was covered by leaves still falling from the trees.
 

Thanksgiving Day Merry Christmas COMING EVENTS:

The December 2nd talk by Sister Mary Donald Corcoran has been rescheduled for the spring.

December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: We will observe a Sunday schedule.

December 24: First Vespers of Christmas at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Blessing of the Creche.

December 25:  Christmas Day: Mass at 9:00 a.m.