Last week we had the pleasure of hosting Cistercian superiors from the Region of the Isles. You might guess that the Isles include England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales. You might not guess that two communities from Norway are also part of this region! Adding to the international mix was the new Abbot General of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (OCSO), Dom Bernardus Peeters. He is now based in Rome, but comes from the Netherlands. His secretary, a monk of Citeaux in France, travelled with him to Brownshill.
Thus Brownshill hosted the first meeting of our two Generals, our Bernardine Cistercian Prioress General, Sr. Elizabeth Mary and Dom Bernardus.
The superiors of our Bernardine communities in England join our OCSO brothers and sisters for these times of pastoral sharing each year. It was a great joy for them to meet in person after the COVID-years of isolation. The guesthouse was completely full for the first time since the end of lockdown and rooms in community were pressed into action also!
Among the participants was the newly elected superior of Mount St. Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire, Fr. Peter Craddy. He had left his role as Chaplain to our community less than a month before!
The OCSO is preparing for their General Chapter., as we continue preparations for ours. Please keep us all in your prayers.
Dom Daniel of Caldey Abbey in Wales celebrated the first Mass for the group
This was Sr. Elizabeth Mary’s first visit to Brownshill in her new rôle. After a short ceremony for each Sister to promise her obedience to our new Prioress General, we enjoyed one another’s company over tea and cake!
