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The Abbatial Blessing |
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It is characteristic of the monastic tradition to ask God’s blessing upon those who are to exercise a role of service in the community. The blessing of a newly elected abbot gives the prayerful support of the Church to the “abba” who now takes up the heavy task of teaching others the fear of the Lord. It is especially fitting to bless one who undertakes the task of guiding others as a spiritual father, not for a few years in an administrative office in a distant locality, but in a monastic family marked by stability. |
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The Rites of the Catholic Church, in its preliminary remarks to the actual blessing rite, visualizes that the bishop of the place where the monastery is situated celebrates this ceremony. |
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from left to right) Abbot Timothy Kelly, President of the American Cassinese Congregation (St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota); Bishop Raphael Fliss, the Superior Diocese in Wisconsin; Bishop Joseph Imesch, the Joliet Diocese; Archbishop Daniel Kucera, OSB, retired archbishop of the Dubuque Archdiocese in Iowa (also retired 5th Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey) |
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In this way, the monastery sees itself as an essential part of the local church. |
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Fr. Michael preached the homily. He and Abbot Dismas are classmates by monastic profession. |
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After the homily, Abbot Dismas is questioned by Bishop Imesch relative to his willingness to serve the monastic community as its abbot. When the questions are completed, the bishop calls the community to join in prayer. The bishop and ministers kneel, the abbot prostrates as a sign of submission to God during the singing of the Litany of the Saints. |
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After the prayer of blessing, the bishop presents the abbot with a copy of the Rule of St. Benedict saying: Take this Rule which contains the tradition of holiness received from our spiritual fathers. As God gives you strength and human frailty allows, use it to guide and sustain your brothers whom God has placed in your care. |
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The bishop then puts a ring on the ring finger of the abbot’s right hand. A miter is placed on the abbot’s head in silence and is finally presented with the pastoral staff. The bishop says: Take this ring, the seal of fidelity. Wear it as the symbol of constancy and maintain this monastic family in the bond of brotherly love. Take this shepherd’s staff and show loving care for the brothers whom the Lord has entrusted to you; for he will demand an account of your stewardship. The sign of peace is given by the bishop to the newly blessed abbot who in turn shared with the community and other abbots. |
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“The Mercies of the Lord are new every morning.” |
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