On Thursday 3 July we were pleased to welcome Brs Meinrad and Gildas, both junior monks in their first vows, from Belmont Abbey, who were visiting at Ampleforth Abbey for a few days and came across to Stanbrook with Fr Gabriel (Everitt) to spend part of the day with us and particularly to meet up with those also in formation. The visit began with Mass, celebrated by Fr Gabriel, and included a bidding prayer for all those in formation in the English Benedictine Congregation (EBC).
It was a beautiful warm day so after Mass the planned ‘coffee in the conference room’ was swiftly transformed into the outdoor ‘coffee in the Garth’, which gave everyone a chance to meet Brs Meinrad and Gildas informally and for them to begin to get to know the Stanbrook community.
After coffee the group, consisting of Emma (Stanbrook’s postulant) and Sr Thérèse (also from Stanbrook), Sr Julian Grigor (from Jamberoo, visiting Stanbrook), Fr Gabriel and Brs Meinrad and Gildas, did convene in the conference room where Sr Philippa had arranged for us to see two of Stanbrook’s famous relics – the hand of the EBC martyr, St Ambrose Barlow, and some clothing of the Carmelite Martyrs, SS Teresa of Augustine and companions. The Carmelite relics are housed in a splendid reliquary. Sr Philippa told us the history of how the nuns of Our Lady of Comfort (or Consolation, not yet Stanbrook) met the Carmelites in prison during the French Revolution, and acquired the secular clothing that the Carmelites had been forced to wear, after their execution (for which they were wearing the monastic habit). The English nuns returned to England wearing the secular clothing of the executed Carmelites which in due time became much treasured relics. Some scenes from this story are illustrated in the paintings on the reliquary. Br Gildas, whom the group later appointed as chief photographer, was particularly keen to take pictures of the reliquary.
The program continued with a presentation by Sr Julian about her abbey at Jamberoo. She outlined the history of its foundation and the difficulties of the early years in Australia. The principal foundress is Sr Scholastica Gregory, who was one of a number of young women who responded to Dom Bede Polding’s appeal for women to become the first Australian nuns. She did her novitiate and was professed at Princethorpe Priory. As it happened, only one of the other young women persevered to profession, and she was no longer willing to go to Australia, so Fr Bede found another companion for her – Dame Magdalene le Clerc from Stanbrook – hence the beginning of the connection between our two monasteries. Sr Julian then talked us through a video presentation of Jamberoo – which included many aerial views of the monastery and helped me to understand the layout – something I have not previously grasped. Interesting conversations about monastic life across the world ensued as Brs Meinrad and Gildas have visited Belmont’s foundation in Peru and were able to tell us something about life there. Sr Josephine and Emma then took the brothers on a tour of the monastery, before we all returned to the church for Midday Office.
The weather was still fine at dinner time so we were able to eat outside in the Garth. Sr Josephine firmly insisted on all three monks sitting at separate tables so as to maximise the opportunity for meeting new people. This was a very convivial occasion, the conversation flowed, as we learnt more about each other. The meeting ended after a series of group photographs in the Garth, directed by Br Gildas.
Brs Meinrad and Gildas will be going to Rome in the autumn to live at Sant’Anselmo and to begin their theology studies. We wish them every success.
Sr Therese
