The Crib, The Cross And The Tabernacle
Christmas Day More than one author has pointed out the affinities between the crib, the cross, the tabernacle. This trio summarises what is most dear to us in our Catholic faith. In each of them we contemplate a number of virtues which our blessed Saviour has portrayed for us. Let’s limit ourselves today to three […]
Getting Rid Of The Junk
Fourth Sunday of Advent Just a few days away now from the beloved feast of Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus Christ Our Lord. What shall we do to prepare ourselves for such a momentous event? How shall we make ready for the Lord of all creation who comes to us once again through what the […]
St Lucy And Joy
Third Sunday of Advent The Virgin Martyr St Lucy whose feast is celebrated on this day is, I’m sure, more than happy to make way for this Sunday which is dear to us all and is known as Gaudete Sunday, the “Sunday of Joy” as we look forward with great expectation to Christmas. But no […]
Restoring What Was Broken
Immaculate Conception In the Conception of Mary Immaculate, Holy Mother Church rightly celebrates the commencement of a unique existence, that of the Mother of God who was preserved by God from the least stain of sin. Our community, too, celebrates on this day a new commencement. After nearly four years of celebrating the Divine Office […]
Monks Inaugurate “New” Church
This afternoon at First Vespers of the Immaculate Conception, the Monks of Notre Dame Priory inaugurated Immaculate Conception Church. The church, which was originally built in the northeastern part of Tasmania in a mining town called Pioneer, was moved a first time in 1947 to a suburb of Launceston called St Leonard’s. At that time, […]
“No God” – “No People”
Second Sunday of Advent Each Saturday at Lauds during the penitential periods of the year, we monks are treated to the second canticle of Moses, otherwise known as the Canticle of Deuteronomy, which you will find in ch. 32 of the Book of Deuteronomy. The canticle is a long meditation on the marvellous deeds of […]
The Need For Patience
First Sunday of Advent Show us, O Lord, Thy Mercy, and grant us Thy Salvation. Today’s alleluia verse, taken from Psalm 84 which is one of the great Psalms of Advent, has become part of the daily liturgy of the Mass. It is recited immediately before the priest mounts the steps of the altar at […]
The Gospel Of Life
Last Sunday after Pentecost The last Sunday of the liturgical year gives our Holy Mother the Church the opportunity to place before our eyes the spectacle of the end of time. Let’s be honest and admit that the revelation of Our Lord frightens us: the darkening of the sun, the moon failing to give her […]
Our First Oblates
Today for the feast of St Gertrude, our community received the oblation of its first oblates: Laure Kelly who took the oblate name Sister Gertrude, and Cathy Powell who took the oblate name Sister Mary Monica. May Our Blessed Mother guide them along the paths of holiness in their state of life, in the spirit […]
