Pluscarden Oblates Weekend

 

Introduction

 

Readers know that I am a bit of a wanderer and have blogged about places far and wide but nevertheless I have not lost sight of the fact I am an Lay Oblate of Pluscarden Abbey.  It was therefore with great joy and deep gratitude to Father Abbot, the Community at Pluscarden and our venerable oblate master Dom Martin that an Oblates Weekend was arranged for the weekend 31st July until 2nd August.

The meeting came about as a consequence of the Oblates World Congress in Rome in 2009.   Our Abbey was represented by the indomitable Margaret Coll whose report on the Congress was included in a previous edition of the Oblate Newsletter.  Also in attendance over the weekend was a committee member of Benedictine Oblates (UK), Jane Coll (and NO for the hundredth time, I'm not Margaret Coll's sister).  Look at this photo and then you can make up your own mind.

I shall try to précis most of the talks given over the weekend although this will most certainly require at least two further entries to do this most memorable experience some degree of justice.  At the behest of Fr Martin I took up both my camera and camcorder to "record" the highlights (and there were many).   Some of the photographs may be accessed HERE but I regret that due to the very restrictive nature of YouTube (maximum of 10 minute clips) I cannot post the videos as most talks were in the region of 45 minutes to 1 hour plus a Q & A session.

All is not lost however as it is my intention to produce a DVD containing the 4 main talks and make these available to Oblates on request; subject of course to Fr. Abbot's approval.  Let me say Fr. Abbot's talk on Prophecy, Priesthood and Kingship is a definite must hear! And no, I did not write that just to ensure a positive response from Fr. Abbot - honestly.

Owning to a very full diary over the next couple of weeks I shall have to leave you all on tenterhooks as my ability to blog will be non existent (I shall be bobbing about on the high seas).

Happy Tidings - Vocations

We are often assailed with the reality of drastic falls in the numbers of priestly and religious vocations in today's world.  Well, here is some good news. 

I was very pleased indeed to receive a telephone call from Mark, a wonderful young gentleman and one whom I count as a dear friend, that after some wait he has finally received news from Rev. Fr. Banauch the rector of the FSSP seminary at Wigratzbad in Germany.  What news?  He has been accepted as a seminarian and commences studies for the Sacred and Holy Priesthood in October. Deo Gratias!

(photos from orbiscatholicus.blogspot.com)

We had the rare privilege in attending the priestly ordinations at Wigratzbad in 2009 (click here for link to post) and I think this may have been one of the defining moments in Mark's discernment of his vocational journey.

Mark is the second "home grown" Scottish Catholic to join the FSSP (the first being Rev. Fr. Harkins FSSP who celebrated his First Solemn Mass in Edinburgh last month (see earlier post).

For those unfamiliar with our situation in Scotland we only have one small FSSP community in Edinburgh attending the usus antiquior, usually numbering about 50 - 70 at Sunday Mass.  However that number belies the fact that in the past two years we have witnessed with great joy and thanksgiving a total of FIVE young men and women setting out on their journey of faith.  Helen to St Cecilia's Benedictine Abbey on the Isle of Wight, Yanush to the Carthusian Charterhouse at Parkminster, England.  This summer Garry and Christian finished their studies at Edinburgh University and both have been accepted as seminarians for their respective English Diocese.  Now, Mark is commencing his journey in October.

Time and again we hear and read of the remarkable phenomenon regarding the steady, and in some cases rapid, increase in vocations in Orders and Societies which either continue or have reverted to follow the traditional liturgy, teachings and way of life.  At the same time "modern" seminaries continue to close through lack of vocations.  Here is Scotland we have no seminaries at all.  Diocesan seminarians now have to travel overseas to be formed - how tragic and sad that it has come to this.

Please pray for Mark and all young men and women who have started their journey to the priestly or religious life that through the Power of The Holy Ghost they will continue to grow in faith and love of God our Father and our Saviour Christ Jesus. 

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel to youth that they may know the vocation wherein they can best serve God. Give them courage and strength to follow God's holy will. Guide their uncertain steps, strengthen their resolutions, shield their chastity, fashion their minds, conquer their hearts, and lead them to the vineyards where they will labour in God's holy service.
Amen.

Mary Mother of God - pray for them, 
St John Vianney - pray for them, 
St Benedict - pray for them,
St John Ogilvy - pray for them.