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In conjunction with our eucharistic theme in this issue, we include a homily from Abbot Matthew Stark, O.S.B., offered on Holy Thursday of 2022. He highlights two themes: the humility of the washing of feet, and the teaching of the Real Presence.

Abbot Michael Brunner, responding to the request from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called the extended community together for prayer and fasting this past Tuesday, inviting all to Divine Adoration and Benediction.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich tells us about the discovery of a piece of the monastery’s history, uncovered by Roberta Stevens, the monastic librarian. It provides us with insight into the foundation of the School, from the perspective of the Diocese of Providence.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich introduces us to Mr. Luis Raposo, an active and talented artisan whose expertise in woodworking is manifest throughout the monastery and the School campus. Luis has worked at Portsmouth for nearly 35 years and has clearly left his mark.

Abbot Michael Brunner offered this homily at the Mass for Reunion Weekend, also the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on the story in Matthew’s gospel of the laborers in the field. The gospel account offers an unusual and challenging business model.

The past month has been an active one for the monastery, with an array of guests, retreats, and activities, including the eruption of the new academic year. We capture some of the highlights.

Our monthly exploration of Liturgy turns this week to a new theme, the theme of Eucharistic Renewal. Br. Benedict Maria, in his seminary experience, has encountered this nationwide effort in a powerful way, and comments on how it is progressing.

Benedictine Oblates, including our own Dionne Larson, gathered in Rome recently for their Fifth World Congress. We include excerpts from the address given to them by Pope Francis, who sums up three critical aspects of Benedictine life: search for God, enthusiasm, and hospitality.

On the first day of classes, Abbot Michael Brunner’s homily for the Opening Mass turned to the gospel parable of the talents. The coinciding twenty-second anniversary of the attacks of 9-11 provided an important context by which he framed his message.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich recently hosted Jon Yarnell of the Nakashima Studios in New Hope, after himself making a couple of trips to the Pennsylvania studios. He reports on the visit, which has renewed our appreciation of the community’s beautiful Nakashima inheritance.

"Now here we are at the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of another Church year. Advent reminds us of a time when the human race dreamed…" Prior Michael Brunner offers a message about Advent, and about dreams.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich reflects on his long connection with the Manquehue Apostolic Movement, particularly through the lens of his retreat in Patagonia in 2002. He tells us that his journey, strengthened by lectio divina and impacted by a powerful conversion experience, and enriched through encounters with Abbot Patrick Barry, founder Jose Manuel Eguiguren, and others of the Movement, had an undeniable impact on his monastic vocation.

In offering his greetings and best wishes for 2021, Prior Michael Brunner reflects on the passage of time, and our orientation to time through the birth of Christ. He encourages us to make the best of this new chapter of 365 days.

Prior Michael calls our attention to theosis, the theology of “divinization” popular in eastern Christianity. We speak such a language in the Mass as well, when we pray in light of God’s humbling Himself in taking on our humanity, that we may “come to share in the divinity of Christ.” This prayer in the Mass points to the Incarnation and leads us to consider the feast of Christmas.

It is with faith in the promises of Christ that we share with you the news of the passing of Reverend Dom Julian Stead O.S.B.'43, monk and priest of Portsmouth Abbey and alumnus of Portsmouth Priory School. Fr. Julian died early on the morning of Dec 23rd, 2020 at St. Clare-Newport where he had been in residence for the past several years. Please join us in praying for the repose and eternal happiness of Fr. Julian.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich reminds us to beware the Ides of March, notorious from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. And precisely a half-year later, this year’s Third Sunday of Advent, six months into our extended pandemic restrictions, comes his latest update.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich reflects on images associated with Advent, seemingly one of the comparatively simpler, more quiet of liturgical seasons. Pitting the Advent wreath against the Christmas Star, the Magi, or even the dreidel or menorah, we find the season understated in its mode of anticipation - but no less significant in the formative memories it contains for us.

While noting that Saint Benedict does not mention Advent, Prior Michael tells us that, “the whole spirit of the Rule is to be a guide for making one’s whole life an Advent looking forward to union with Jesus Christ by living a radical Christ-like life.” And in this year’s season, muted and subdued in our time of pandemic, “the joy of anticipation has an edge to it.” In his Advent message, the Prior invites us to enter into this forward-looking season of preparation. 

Brother Sixtus Roslevich, in an October note to oblates and friends of Portsmouth Abbey, offers a reflection on the theme of "words." Inspired by his interaction with some of the texts he has found in his inherited office in the monastery, and their physical link to the community's past, the very tangible experience of words elicits his own attempt to verbalizing an experience of words, of the Word, and of what may be beyond words.