Life in a Monastery: April 2009 Archives

Dom Elias R. Lorenzo, a monk of the Abbey of Saint Mary, has been appointed the new Prior of Sant'Anselmo in Rome, the international house of studies for Benedictines. As prior Dom Elias will be working with the Abbot Primate, Notker Wolf, as the man in charge of the daily running of the monastic community, the superior of the monks and he'll work on special canonical projects for the Benedictine Confederation, especially with the Holy See. His competence, insight and humor will be well-received in Rome as it has been at his home abbey (as I can attest) and in his other ministries.

Dom Elias succeeds Dom Michael Naughton, a monk of Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN.

May God abundantly bless Dom Elias!

On the 5th Sunday of Lent (March 29) the Charlotte diocese co-sponsored with Belmont Abbey & College the 3rd annual Eucharistic Congress for Youth. The gathering included a procession with the Eucharist around the campus, inspirational and formative talks, the sacrament of Confession, Vespers and Benediction. Bishop Peter Jugis, Abbot Placid, Dom Kieran and Dom Edward, among other monks and religious, including 2 Capuchin friars, assisted in giving a witness to the exceptional and powerful Presence of the Lord with more than 450 students from the college and across the diocese.

This terrific Eucharistic event strengthened and gave hope to the many participants. Plus, it was a spectacular sunny day. It was a keen reminder that all of life is viewed through the lens of the Eucharist.

The gaze of the Eucharistic Lord on us and us on Him is a beautiful gesture of mercy.

Read the story here.