80 years of monastic profession: the witness of a lifetime

| | Comments (0)
Permanent commitment is an awesome gesture. It is, however, becoming a thing of the past these days. I remember a few years ago when my parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and one of my mother's clients said to her: "I can't believe you've been married to the same man for this long." I was taken aback by the statement. In my mind what else would you do but be faithful to your vows. Of course this woman is on her second marriage and from all reports pretty self-absorbed. There was a time when you entered into a "life commitment" by vows and you did what they indicated: live them forever, unto death is there parting. Times have changed: prenuptials are "in" and convenience has replaced permanency. Have we become too fickle? Just recently an event in Rome gave me hope: Father Angelo's 80 years as a Trappist monk of the Abbey of Tre Fontane. Imagine 80 years do anything! Imagine living your monastic profession in the place where Saint Paul was martyred! Saint Paul's head bounced three times. Hence three fountains of water sprung up.

Tre fontane di S. Paolo.jpg
Father Angelo (Archangelo Buccitti in history), just celebrated his 94th birthday on March 3. Bishop Paolo Schiavon, a long-time friend of the community offered Mass for Father Angelo's intentions. 

Father Angelo's monastic journey included entry at Frattochie abbey at 14 years of age, his journey to solemn profession, ordination to the priesthood, time as chaplain for the Trappistine nuns at Vitorchiano, his election as abbot of Tre Fontane and his ten years in that capacity. All of Father Angelo's life can be seen as a homage, a testament to grace and grace's living through his deep humanity known through fraternal charity, humility and faithfulness to God's call. 

Father Angelo said: "The Lord does not count the number of one's years, but weighs their quality" and "A man is never taller than when he is on his knees before his Lord."

Leave a comment

About the author

Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.

Categories

Archives

Humanities Blog Directory

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Paul Zalonski published on March 28, 2011 5:18 PM.

Imprisioned, and you visited me: Archbishop Dolan visits prisoners was the previous entry in this blog.

Patriarch Béshara Raï begins new ministry as the Maronite head and father working on unity is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.