Mount Saviour Monastery

March 2020  News:
An historic month in the world's history that would become increasingly tumultuous as the month progressed began for us at the monastery on a calm and reflective note. Mother Winsome from the community of the Sisters of the Virgin Mary in Birmingham, England, arrived at the end of February. She facilitated our yearly community retreat which ran from the 2nd through the 6th. The retreat was unique, reflecting upon Mother Winsome's community's spiritual and temporal journey which parallels that of St. John Henry Newman's all in conjunction with the Rule of Benedict. The retreat was very well received, and Mother Winsome became especially endeared to the brothers.

We received word on the 2nd that our newest member Brother Chester was granted his R1 immigration status which enables him to remain at Mount Saviour. Thanks to all who remember him in prayer as he continues his discernment with us.

On the 3rd we thought it would be prudent to suspend receiving from the chalice at Mass due to increasing outbreaks and concerns about the coronavirus. Next we suspended receiving communion on the tongue. By the 16th the situation with the virus had become so critical that our bishop suspended all public Masses in our diocese until further notice. By the 19th all public Masses had been suspended throughout the United States.

The first two confirmed case of the virus in our county were announced on the 22nd. On the 23rd we announced the decision to close the Chapel, the Retreat House and Gift Shop in accordance with New York State Directives and medical advisories. By the 27th there were seven confirmed cases in our county, 100 deaths in New York State in the previous 24 hours, over 1000 deaths in the U.S. which suddenly acquired the ominous distinction of more cases of coronavirus than any other country in the world.

Thanks be to God and your prayers all of us here are weathering the storm. Compared to much of the world there is little change in our daily routine. Please know we continue praying for the world and especially for all affected by this sudden pandemic. The following petition has been added to the intentions for Good Friday's Liturgy in the United States:

XI. For an end to the pandemic

      Let us pray, dearly beloved, for a swift end
      to the coronavirus pandemic that afflicts our world, that our God and
     Father will heal the sick, strengthen those who care for them,
     and help us to persevere in faith.

      Prayer in silence. Then the priest says:

      Almighty and merciful God,
      Source of all life, health and healing,
      look with compassion on our world, brought low by disease; protect us in
      the midst of the grave challenges that assail us and in your fatherly
      providence
      grant recovery to the stricken,
      strength to those who care for them,
      and success to those working to eradicate this scourge.
      Through Christ our Lord.
      Amen.