Public Profession of the Vows of Religion
Together in Christ, the Motto of the Diocese of Aberdeen, and, on Wednesday the 22nd August 2012, this came true for the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer when they were raised as a Clerical Institution of Diocesan Right by His Excellency Bishop Hugh Gilbert O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen.
Travelling across on the boat with the Community from the Monastery on Papa Stronsay to Stronsay where the ceremony was to take place in their chapel before the ceremony, Fr Anthony Mary remarked how this was the last time they would travel like this. I thought to myself how prophetic; the vessel was heading west into the sunset as the day was ending on their time in the 'tween decks of the Church and on our return journey, after the acceptance of their vows, we would be sailing east into a new dawn.
By happenstance the Abbot of Ampleforth, Dom Cuthbert Madden O.S.B. was visiting Bishop Hugh and was a welcome presence during this wondrous occasion. Also actively participating during the ceremony was Dom Benedict Hardy, Prior of Pluscarden Abbey.
The service commenced with three lessons and a Gospel. Bishop Hugh's address was, as usual, of a high quality and he remarked how long a gestation period it had been for the Community. (I think it was even longer that it takes for an elephant to gestate thrice times over!). The Litany of Loreto was well chanted - very daunting for both cantors when you have a master such as Dom Benedict in choir. Thereafter Father Michael Mary, as Rector Major, professed his vows to Bishop Hugh. This was followed by the members of the Congregation of the F.SS.R. professing their vows into the hands of Fr. Michael Mary.
Benediction included the public recitation of the prayer to Jesus Exposed in the Blessed Sacrament by St Alphonsus and also included a robust rendering of Tantum Ergo to the tune of Das Lied der Deutschen. The final hymn was to Our Lady of Aberdeen using the original words; not the watered down version heard today. Superbos.
Please keep the Community in your prayers. It is hoped that those brothers who have completed their time at seminary will receive thier sub-diaconal, diaconal and priestly ordinations in the not too distant future.
Here are a few photos I took. You may view the whole set HERE
On the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer site you may view their video HERE
The service commenced with three lessons and a Gospel. Bishop Hugh's address was, as usual, of a high quality and he remarked how long a gestation period it had been for the Community. (I think it was even longer that it takes for an elephant to gestate thrice times over!). The Litany of Loreto was well chanted - very daunting for both cantors when you have a master such as Dom Benedict in choir. Thereafter Father Michael Mary, as Rector Major, professed his vows to Bishop Hugh. This was followed by the members of the Congregation of the F.SS.R. professing their vows into the hands of Fr. Michael Mary.
Benediction included the public recitation of the prayer to Jesus Exposed in the Blessed Sacrament by St Alphonsus and also included a robust rendering of Tantum Ergo to the tune of Das Lied der Deutschen. The final hymn was to Our Lady of Aberdeen using the original words; not the watered down version heard today. Superbos.
Please keep the Community in your prayers. It is hoped that those brothers who have completed their time at seminary will receive thier sub-diaconal, diaconal and priestly ordinations in the not too distant future.
Here are a few photos I took. You may view the whole set HERE
On the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer site you may view their video HERE
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| Dom Hugh Gilbert O.S.B. Bishop of Aberdeen |
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| Rev. Fr. Michael Mary F.SS.R. Rector Major |
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| The Altar at Our Lady's Chapel, Stronsay |
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| His Lordship receives Fr. Michael Mary's Vows |
