September 8

DEPARTING THE BENEDICTINE COMMUNITY
It was a little after two this afternoon when I departed from the Pecos Benedictine Community. It was a most unique of all days. This day is marked as the Feast of the Birth of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Additionally, Andrew became Symeon today as he made his profession to the Monastic Order.
Somewhere in heaven I’m sure, Mrs. Danforth, my Latin teacher was smiling down and saying, “See Patrick, I told you that you would need your Latin one day.” It was “high mass” at its best. Most of the Mass was in Latin, and of course in the tradition of the Benedictine Order all of it was Cantor and Response, and Singing of Canticles from alternating sides of the congregation. I have not talked about this before, but every day begins and ends with prayer services, as well as at noon time and they are all in the form of canticle singing of the Psalms and Scripture Readings. The day also includes two times of Lectio Divina, (the silent prayer they have taught me). I will talk about that in days to come.
Following Mass came a huge feast! Since Brother Symeon is a native of Poland, a Polish Feast was prepared. It was indescribably delicious.
I thanked them all for the wonderful hospitality. Hospitality is something I must address soon also. I received a blessing from the Abbot, and a special Benedictine Blessing from Brother Sam, my Spiritual Director.
I will post all of these several thoughts, as soon as I resolve some “security” measures on my computer. Until then, I leave you with the message from this morning’s mass. Brother Steve, Abbot of the Community, concluded his homily (sermon) by quoting the entire song, “Try to Remember the Kind of September”. And his point was so simple, yet so profound, “REMEMBER and FOLLOW!”