Yes, the big move is on. Our last public Holy Mass in the Oratory was yesterday, Ash Wednesday. Today the tabernacle is empty, leaving the impression of a Good Friday absence, and the promise of a resurrection into new life. The movers arrived today: library, sacristy, kitchen, refectory, closets, cells. It's chaotic. Hilda (our monastery dog) is finding it all very curious.
At the eleventh hour we had the joy of receiving a married couple as Novice Oblates. Bryan and Monica Meyers were received as Oblate Brother and Sister Gabriel and Miriam, in the presence of their children Israel, David, Joseph, and Sophia. Their patronal feast as an Oblate couple will be March 25th, the Annunciation of the Lord.
We have had brilliant help from our dear Oblate Sisters Francesca, Placida, and Lioba. Oblate Brother Oliver is also part of the team.
This is the Lenten experience par excellence. Detachment. Moving on. Letting go. And in today's Holy Mass the Word came to us in the middle of it all, saying: "Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee" (Psalm 54).
Prayers for you all as you make the move to Ireland! Thank you for all you write here. You have truly been a blessing to me, and God speaks to me through your words on how to live out my vocation as wife and mother. I am in deep gratitude for you and my prayers are with you.
Kathryn
My thoughts are exactly the same as Kathryn's, Father Mark. Thank you for everything you have done, are doing and will be doing in your new home in Ireland. Pax in Lumine!
With affection,
F.R. Maich, oblate, osb
Prayers for a safe and successful move, Dom Kirby!
I also pray that, sooner rather than later, I may be in a position to come visit the monastery in its new location.
Thank you, again, for your writings and reflections published here. They are a great source of nourishment for both my wife and I and, through us, our young children.
Your European readers welcome you to the "Old World" and consider it a blessing to have you now somewhat nearer.
Leaving poor Oblate Brother Melchisedech here in Pennsylvania to attend to the Godspeed!
So for first food for the journey, here is a little something from my one of my favorite parts of the Monastic Breviary - The Intinery.
O God, Who didst watch
over Abraham Thy servant
as he journeyed forth
from the country of Ur of
the Chaldeans, and didst
preserve him unharmed over
all the roads of his
pilgrimage: we beseech Thee,
that Thou wouldst deign
also to watch over us, O Lord,
as the preparations for the
journey. Be a solace on
the way, a shelter in heat,
a covering in rain and cold,
a vehicle in fatigue, a guard
in adversity, a staff and
guide in dangerous places,
a harbor in shipwreck: so
that by Thy guidance, we
may happily reach the end
of our journey.
Dear Father Mark,
I regret not coming to visit you in Oklahoma, and now Ireland is even less do-able... Please keep blogging, and I'll keep reading, praying and hoping.
Thank you,
Gratefully,
In Christ,
Agnieszka
I have been following your blog for quite sometime and have gleaned wisdom and knowledge from your articles, etc. You have been a blessing to us all. I don't know if your move to Ireland means that we won't hear from you again? I understand now why the people of San Giovanni Rotondo rose up against the removal of St. Padre Pio from their community. They were afraid that God's blessing would be removed if he went away. I guess that's sort of how I feel. But I also understand that we can not be selfish. I also understand that we need to accept God's Will for you and for those of us left here. I pray for abundant blessings on you and the important mission God has entrusted you with. God's speed Father Mark.
Yes, nice to have you several thousand miles nearer now, Father! Also, dogs hate removals, so I hope you will be settled in Ireland very soon.
Mariana