05/26/08
Shortly after diaconate ordination on April 1st, I returned to Gaming in Austria for the remainder of my last semester. An intense 6 weeks followed filled with papers and exams. With Pentecost came graduation and I was given the Masters in Sacred Theology, or in Roman terms, the Pontifical STB. I was honored to have Fr Cassian in attendance for the commencement ceremonies. He too was relieved to have a few days of springtime rest in the Austrian Alps.
As his ‘gift’ to me for graduating, Fr Cassian gave me a large box with a small box in it, and a smaller box in that one. Inside there was a piece of paper which said that the date of my priestly ordination would be October 11th! I seek your prayers as I prepare for this sacred ministry.
After graduation, Br Basil and I made the long slow drive back from Austria to Norcia stopping for the night in the small town of Caorle near Venice. Upon returning to the monastery we were each filled with the wonder of returning to the peace of monastic life. Although there are so many duties and more work than we can handle, the essence of our life is prayer which calms the heart and lifts the soul.
The summer will bring with it a flurry of activities. On July 1st our 10th annual summer discernment program begins for 5 young men (4 from the US, 1 from the UK). This year we will also run our own Italian course for our monks and several other religious and lay people. In years past we have sent our monks to live with the Benedictine monks in Perugia while studying Italian at their famous school “università per stranieri”. With growing numbers that is no longer practical so we have hired our own teacher. The monks will be taught ‘in house’.
As always, I wish you God’s blessings and a restful, peaceful summer.
In Christ,
Br Benedict
