Mount Saviour Monastery (March 2024)
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!