Mount Saviour Monastery

March 2024
News:
A new month brought with it newborn lambs. The first was actually born on the 29th of February and then more overnight. Because of the early timing of their births this year, staggered over several weeks, most of the activity is happening behind the scenes in the barnyard. It is there that the ewes judged closest to giving birth are gathered. Occasionally we will be surprised with a birth taking place in the field. When that happens Brother Pierre scoops up the lamb and the mother follows him and her newborn into the barnyard.

On the 3rd we lost a good friend of the monastery whom many guests will know through his frequent visits with us. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bruce Avery from the Province of Ontario and for the consolation of his many friends and family.

Numerous signs of spring continued to appear through the month with the arrival of more species of birds and flowers. And also groundhogs or whistle-pigs as our Father Martin used to call them, which we have every year in abundance.

On the 19th Brother Pierre let us know we were halfway through this year’s lamb birthing with 58 lambs from 45 ewes. We have 90 ewes that could potentially give birth.

 

On the 20th, after the first Vespers of the solemnity of Saint Benedict, Brother Gregory became Brother Matthew at his reception into the Novitiate. We also received notice that Father Nathan Munsch, a monk of Mount Saviour from 1980 – 1993, died at Saint Vincent Archabbey following a four-year struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Please remember them both in prayer.

 
Our two and a half hour Easter celebration on the 31st began at 5:00 am in our crypt with the lighting of the fire and with a good crowd on hand. Breakfast for all followed in the refectory. At 1:00 pm monks and guests were back in the refectory and settled down to a two hour talking meal. That was quite a change from the masks and social distancing of the not too distant past. Thanks be to God and Happy Easter!