A Celebration & more from General Chapter

1 August 2022

» On Wednesday, 13 July Fr Peter held a celebration at Douai to mark reacing 80 years of age, and 60 years of monastic profession. This was to be an occasion for his family from Canada to meet friends from across his life, and for them to meet each other. Happily, a representative number had been able to come from the USA, Germany & France and across the UK, although many from abroad had been prevented by passport problems in the wake of Brexit and Covid. About 50 were able to come to the thanksgiving Mass, at which Fr Paul Lyons preached, followed by a splendid lunch provided by Sarah and her assistants in the guest refectory. Ad multos annos!

» Last week an official bulletin was issued by the EBC at the completion of the General Chapter held at Buckfast. The statement noted that:

Three communities of nuns from around the world have joined the English Benedictine Congregation.

The nuns of Kylemore Abbey in Galway, Ireland, of Mariavall Abbey in Tomelilla, near Malmo, Sweden, and of Jamberoo Abbey, near Wollongong, Australia, were welcomed by the General Chapter of the Congregation held at Buckfast Abbey, in Devon.

Abbot President Christopher Jamison said: “Having communities of nuns and of monks as equal members is a strength of our congregation. Three new communities from across the globe now adds greater international diversity as another strength. We are delighted to welcome them.” ...

The Chapter decided: a) to instigate a three-month period of shared formation for novices from all our monasteries b) to prioritise human formation for all c) to develop the visitation process d) to identify the needs of the increasingly diverse membership of the Congregation.

The Abbot President, Christopher Jamison, was re-elected for a further four-year term. He said: ‘This General Chapter was a moment of grace. As we renew our internal processes, we will better serve others as we offer them a monastic wisdom rooted in Christian faith.’

Below is a photo of the superiors and delegates of each EBC monastery, the officials of the congregation, and representatives of the three new EBC monasteries who were present this time as observers.