Mount Saviour Monastery

May 2020 Our flock observonig "social distancing". News:
The Outdoor temperature reached 80 degrees for the first time this year on the 3rd followed by the first lawn cutting on the 7th followed by an accumulating snowfall on the 8th. Such is spring in these parts. Fortunately, the sheep still had their "woolens" on.

A mama bear and her cubs sighted in the neighborhood raided our bird feeders on two different nights. Now we bring the feeders inside at night and rehang them in the mornings. The maternity ward for this year's crop of newborn lambs was dismantled on the 11th. The number of lambs born this spring from 83 mothers totaled 143. On the afternoon of the 12th   all sheep received their vaccinations.

On Memorial Day weekend the sheep finally lost their winter "woolens."  Only a handful of necessary workers took part in this year's shearing to minimize the threat of Covid-19.

Orphan lambs waiting for their bottle of milk.

The following is an edited version of a circular letter by the Benedictine Abbot Primate. It was sent to Benedictine communities throughout the world and is deserving of a larger audience.

Here we stand in the midst of the Easter season. In the Gospel we recently heard at the Eucharist, Jesus tells his disciples in the Last Supper Discourse that he bestows upon them a peace that is not like any other. 'Peace, I leave with you; my peace I bestow upon you. Not as the world gives it, do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid' (Jn 14:27). The Easter peace which Jesus gives is not a freedom from anxiety, but a freedom to live amid anxious time with faith in God's presence, and trust in ways that will open up a manner to face and live into the future. That is a great encouragement to us in this moment of anxiety and insecurity. These words of Jesus are true sources of inspiration and support to us. Despite the fears and worries, there is something quietly stirring in the hearts of believers; the Holy Spirit within us guides us in ways that are so simple and good, so touching and transforming. It is a 'peace' that is subtle and quiet, humble and gracious, wise, noble, and advantageous. This is the mysterious Easter peace that Christ left to us, his Benedictine disciples, and to all who follow the Gospel message.

How easy it is to name the challenges that have come our way with this pandemic: fear for the present moment, unexpected death, uncertainty about the future, living with an invisible enemy, financial pressures, distance from loved ones, praying in unfamiliar ways, and many more challenges. But isn't it important for us, now with a little hindsight, to search deeply to discover the blessings that have come to us' Let us reflect on the blessings we have come to see.

First, we have come to see what a blessing our Benedictine tradition and calling has been for us during these days. While many people live alone in a small place, isolated and without another human face to encounter, we have been blessed with our monastic community. The human desire that resides in all of us to be connected with others stands as a distinguishing characteristic of our daily life. With social distancing, we have been forced to live somewhat apart, but clearly, not alone. Again with social distancing from one another, there has grown a kind of unique closeness that happens when challenges unite people in a way that bonds them by their willingness to do together what is for the good of all. Sacrifice is rarely an easy act, but when it is done by a whole community, it possesses a unique character that binds people in a joy that is both satisfying and enriching, and sometimes, life-changing. While in community our fears actually become moments when courage builds up within us, our anxieties develop into moments of trust because of the strength we experience in the midst of our community life together.

Second, both our community and private prayer take on new dimensions. We regret that in most instances, our oblates and friends who usually pray with us are not present. Yet, their absence fosters a true concern for them in our heart; we miss them, and we earnestly pray for them in the midst of our brothers or sisters. Though at a distance, the presence of those who usually pray with us is felt. It is easy in our daily intercessions to remember the Church, the world, and our governments; yet now, knowing the challenges which they face for the good of the people they serve, there is a greater sense of the worldwide communion which we share, not only as members of the Body of Christ, but as brothers and sisters in the human family.

Third, the environment of our monasteries has often provided us with places to be grateful for the beauty of creation, the gifts of God's earth, and the opportunity to reflect on how important our care for the earth's resources really are. When we read the Psalms and reflect on the wonders of creation, we see how our early ancients in the faith could see so deeply into the gift of created things. God has made us stewards of these gifts. Here in Rome, with the lockdown, from our tower, you can see the Mediterranean Sea; that is how clear the air has become in Rome, a city known for its pollution. Saint Benedict's emphasis on the care of all material things in RB 32, reminds us of our stewardship to use wisely and carefully what has been given us. During this pandemic, we have experienced a short-term effect of seeing how we can be better overseers and guardians of what has been given us to develop the beauty and splendor of God's reign among us in the created order. May that spirit continue in our monasteries, so well endowed with the blessings and grandeur of God's loving hand.

We are living in a moment of inspiring heroism. On the larger scale, we have seen the sacrifice of their very lives by dedicated doctors, dedicated nurses, vigilant public servants who have all put their lives in harm's way to fulfill the calling they have received. Likewise, there has been a more silent, yet still dedicated heroism in the fervent prayer, generous service and creative ways of assistance to people who have stood in need of spiritual need and desire. The heroism of our lives as Benedictines is often not as well known or widespread as we have seen on the front pages of newspapers and magazines; yet, it is heroic in the living of our tradition according to the Gospel and the Rule of Saint Benedict with a sense of mission that is vibrant and life-giving for one another and for whomever we may serve.

We pray for our whole world as it moves forward in its attempts to care for those who have become infected; and we ask for divine assistance that scientists will soon discover a vaccine that will bring this pandemic to an end.

Do we not find ourselves at this moment like the apostles and Mary, sequestered in a place together in prayer, in waiting, and in holy anticipation for the loving and gracious hand of God to bring us the anticipated blessing of healing, inner renewal, and hope for the future' Indeed, we wait during these days for the grace of the Holy Spirit to come to us at Pentecost and to give us what we need most ' a sign of God's loving care for each of us, for our communities, for our Church, and for our world. Like the apostles and Mary, gathered in waiting, so do we await in hopeful prayer for a sign that will show us a way forward. There is no doubt that the months ahead are going to be a time of transition to new ways of living in our communities, in our celebration of the liturgy, in the way that the Church will adjust to new expectations. There will also be numerous ways in which we will see changes in the way we live within our societies and cultures following the experience of this worldwide pandemic. This is a time when we should ready ourselves to be taught how to move forward with faith in the God who never abandons us, but always surprises us with a divine goodness that exceeds our expectations. The path forward will be different, with the mixed elements of challenge and blessing; the future will carry a newness that asks us to be docile to the movements of the Holy Spirit who never ceases to teach, guide, and inspire us along new and uncharted paths. Like the apostles and Mary in the upper room, let us wait in confidence, in trust, and in hope. Let us ready ourselves to respond with enlivened trust that God is opening for us a new 'tomorrow' where we will be guided by the divine Spirit of our good and gracious God
          +Gregory J. Polan, OSB 
    Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation
 

All the brothers remain well. The guest houses, gift shop and chapel remain closed until further notice.