Mount Saviour Monastery

April 2022 News:
On the 4th, the community took the final decision on the triptych, which has been missing from behind
the Blessed Sacrament altar for the past two years. Work on restoring the focal piece was put on hold due to the pandemic. Our final decision to stabilize the art work as opposed to full restoration means the triptych should be back behind the Blessed Sacrament by the end of this year. Aside from the added cost, an extensive restoration could have resulted in significantly altered artwork.

On the 11th, a maternity ward for newborn lambs was set up. On the 13th, all the ewes were herded into the barn area in preparation of imminent birthing. The first births, twins, were born on the 15th. That was right on time in a typical year. Our shepherd, Br. Pierre, estimates that 75% of births result in multiple lambs. He stayed busy with the ewes for the rest of the month as more newborns arrived.

 
 

This year's Triduum ceremonies had to be changed again due to the ongoing pandemic. On Holy Thursday, there was no foot washing. There was no kissing of the relic on Good Friday. Despite the early hour, approximately 30-40 people turned up for the Easter Vigil, which began at 5 a.m. this year. During the service, there was a fleeting orange glow in the sky at sunrise before snow flurries could be seen falling outside.

 
 
 

We observe Easter Monday as a holiday after the busyness of Easter Sunday. This time a full-scale snowstorm started and continued through the night, accumulating roughly six inches of snow. Nearby  counties received as much as 18 inches. As the snow melted and the weather warmed, drooping daffodils were quickly upright again. The first lawn mowing of the year still took place as it usually does before month's end.

Turns out that the ewes are unusually prolific this year. By the last day of the month 127 lambs had been born from 66 mothers. There are lots of tiny white dots to be seen out in the field. Most, if not all mothers, will have given birth by the end of the first week of May

One week ol lambs