Mount Saviour
Chronicle
Christmas
2004
From
21 to 29
September, the Abbots and the Priors of independent monasteries
gathered at
Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. At this
every-four-year event, we were 230 voting members.
Twenty four representatives of nuns and
sisters and five delegates from other Christian denominations were also
present. Globalization was the theme of
the Congress. Professor Norbert Walter
of Deutsche Bank and Andrea Riccardi, founder of the St. Egidio
Community, which
is composed almost entirely of lay persons, gave the key-note addresses. Benedictines are spread throughout the world
and have always adapted to the needs and culture of their environment,
while
conserving the continuity of their particular spiritual heritage. So
Globalization as the theme of the Congress, was highly apposite.
At the Congress we
even witnessed a
certain monastic form of Globalization.
Namely, through courage and foresight, the Benedictine sisters
and nuns
are bringing women Benedictines into a closer association with each
other and
the male Monastic Confederation. They
have received and welcomed the encouragement and help of all the Abbot
Primates
beginning with Rembert Weakland. We
received the encouragement and blessing of Pope John Paul II at a brief
audience at Castel Gandolfo. He also urged us to draw closer to
Protestant and
Orthodox monks.
Back home, our biggest
events occurred on
18 June, the Feast of the Sacred Heart and the 150th Anniversary of the
American Cassinese Congregation, when Mount Saviour was received into
that
Congregation. We will include a brief
account of the history of Congregations within
the Benedictine
tradition in a
future Chronicle.
Br John Thompson was
appointed Novice
Master or Novice Brother as we prefer to say, and Br.
Joseph Amendola made simple vows on September
14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
| Retreats: 2004-2005 A.D. Although we are usually able to meet with those who ask to speak with one or other of the monks while on Retreat, an increasing number of people would like a conference or two during their stay with us. While they share the rhythm of the Monastery, Eucharist and Offices we will give week end Retreats on: December 17-18-19 on the Mystery of Advent - Christmas- Epiphany. This event is a special Christmas Gift by the monks to whomever can take advantage of it. We will welcome both Resident and Day Guests. Vespers with the beautiful ‘O’ Antiphons Friday the17th at 6:30 PM then a Conference and Compline. Saturday 9:00 AM Mass & Conference 10:30 AM a hot meal and a Conference at 2:00 PM, Sunday the Conference will be 10:30 AM. Please make the reservation by Tuesday 14 December. A free will offering can be made by Day Guests. |
| Four
Retreats will be
given in 2005: March 11-12-13 on the
Passion of Christ. April 29-1
May on Mary
Our Mother. May
20-21-22 on The
Eucharist in our Lives. June
24-25-26 on The
Universal Love of Christ. $150 resident guests,
$200 couples, $60 Day guests. We will begin with
supper on the Fridays and end after a noon meal Sundays.
Reservations by Phone or FAX to Guest
Brother 607 734 1688 or 1689. Any questions can be
sent by e-mail to <smjssmn@aol.com> Conferences will be given by Fr. Martin Boler, Prior, by other monks of Mt. Saviour and Sister Marie Julianne, SSMN, former Superior of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur. These dates will be limited to those making the Retreats. |
News Notes since
May 22, 2004
Br. James Cronen celebrated
the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination in the company of the community,
his
three brothers, and a host of relatives, friends and admirers of all
ages. We had a wonderful Bag Pipe serenade. The event was a serenade but Bag Pipes hardly
qualify as serenade genre. It was a very
joyful affair. Fr. Justin
Matro OSB, who brought sunshine into our winter quarters
by giving our Community Retreat in March and Fr. Thomas
Acklin OSB both of St. Vincent’s Archabbey were also on
hand. Shearing took place on 29 May
. This year 126 ewes gave
birth to 231 lambs: eight triplets, 89 twins, 29
singles.
Throughout the late Spring and summer the
monastery buildings were painted or stained
and both cottages were improved - yours and our dollars at work! 27 June Fr.
Gerard Sloyan gave the Second Damasus Winzen Lecture and
brought
back memories of the late 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
Nathan Mitchell will give #
III on 5 June 2005. July 25-8 Sr.
Lynn Levo of St. Luke’s Institute
gave conferences on sexual maturity. 30
July to 4 August, Br. Pierre returned
to Montreal and Three Rivers Canada for a family reunion.
1 August Fr.Donald
Raila OSB of St. Vincent’s Archabbey gave a lovely Violin Concert
and we
hope some of his confreres will join him in the future.
On August 6, Br James Cronen received a new
knee. Fr.
Nathan Munsch OSB and Br. Peter of Holy Trinity Ashram, South
India were
here a few days and just missed 15 August, a very joyful Dedication Day
with
music by the Friends and Students of 
Phil
and Claire Smock. Fr. Martin joined
in Blessing the new and beautiful Big Flats Community Center. Abbot
Leo Ryska OSB joined us 17-20 August. Fr.
Brian Daly SJ gave conferences at
Our Lady of the Genesee 8-12 October and Fr.
Martin, Br William and Br. Joseph were able to attend some or all
the
lectures. In sharing New Jersey stories,
Fr. Daly realized that as a young boy he had served Br. James Cronen’s
First
Mass.. 8-11 October, we hosted a very successful third session on small
communities or Emmaus III. Emmaus IV is
being planned for the Columbus Week-End 2005.
If interested please contact us.
Br. Gereon Reuter OSB spent
a week with us after retiring from many years teaching sciences at
Newark
Abbey. We are most grateful for the ‘sweat
equity’ help by friends whose expertise exceedes ours.
Barbara
Reiter and Claire Johnson and their sewing machines;
Rev.
Andy Armstrong and skilled carpenters and electricians from his
congregation; Joe Manzi and his
group from Long Island who are always a great help.
October 16-18, Joan Pape, Br. Luke’s sister
and his cousin Douglas Pape, celebrated his feast day
with us. We were saddened by the death of Msgr. Benedict Tighe on 17 October and
gladdened by the visits of Fr. Brian
Karvelis and the many priests, laity and religious who come each
year. Br.
Gabriel was able to visit his family this month.
It is a busy time for Br. Bruno taking lambs
to Hackettstown N.J.
On 2 November, we
rededicated the beautiful statue of the risen Christ in the monk’s
cemetery
which Paul DeMarco restored to its
pristine glory. We want to do the same
to the smaller roadside crucifix soon.
Thanks
be to God and
thanks to all of you who have enabled us to be here again this year!
|
Orchard and
garden report 2004 |
Blessing of the pear trees
How can this be?
This was the question Mary asked the angel Gabriel. I didn’t have
an angelic visitor but I did ask Our Lord and myself this question as I
began the journey of becoming a Benedictine monk at Mount Saviour
Monastery.
My life had been pretty basic with the usual
ups and downs. For 30 years I owned businesses and was my own man
so to speak. God did give me great joy when I married a woman
with two small children and I experienced the wonderful joys of
marriage and fatherhood. The marriage did not last but the
children did and they have always kept me in their lives. It was
a proud moment when I gave our daughter in marriage and a great joy
when she graced us with a granddaughter.
After our divorce in 1992, I filled my time
with friends, working, playing and dating but I was just not
happy. Something was missing but I didn’t know what it was except
for a lack of deep joy in whatever I did. For example, I had the
kids on Christmas eve and I spent Christmas day with family and
friends. In a way, Christmas was always about the birth of Our
Lord and little children. In 1997, the children were 21 and 23 so
not little anymore, so with their blessing I decided to go on a
spiritual retreat and celebrate the Lord’s birth. I did go to
Church, although not regularly, so I asked my pastor, Fr. Jim Nash
about a place to go and he suggested Mount Saviour Monastery. I
made a reservation
The place was unknown to me and I did not know
what to expect although I was excited at the prospect of spiritually
celebrating Christ’s birth. Upon arriving, I was struck by the
peacefulness and setting and buildings. The Chapel was very plain
and simple yet elegant and I could not get over how in such a strange
environment for me, I felt at peace instantly. I decided to
attend all the scheduled services which began at 4:45 AM and if I
didn’t like them or wasn’t moved by them, I would just not go to
them. After my four day Retreat, I ventured home somewhat
changed. I drove in silence, which was unheard of for me, and I
found myself taking more time in silence, reading the bible and other
spiritual books. I was definitely moved but not towards a
Monastic vocation which would have seemed bizarre at that time.
The retreat did give me everything I was
looking for to make a Christmas pilgrimage a new tradition. About
mid 1999, I found myself reading books on Monasticism and asked myself
what I was doing. I began reading about other forms of religious
life but without the least thought of ever entering a religious
community. Sometime in 2001, I realized I was not giving 100% to
anything but I still couldn’t understand what was bothering me.
In time, I did start to muse about monastic life. I was really
arguing with myself and I finally threw in the towel since merely
having fun, which I was having, wasn’t the happiness I longed to
have. I finally realized God would not think less of me if I did
not like it.
So I came to Mount Saviour on 23 December 2002
and made Simple or Temporary Profession on 13 September
2004 I ask your prayers that I persevere in this School of
the Lord’s service and you will always be in mine.
Brother Joseph Amendola
| Please remember us in prayer and, if
possible, also in your estate planning and will. Our legal title is - The Benedictine Foundation of New York State. |
Our web site has fresh news and information
every month
E-mail: info@msaviour.org Guest Brother: guest@msaviour.org |
|
Mount Saviour Monastery
231 Monastery Rd. Pine City NY 14871-9787 |
Phone: (607) 734-1688
Fax: (607) 734-1689 |