In the common vocation
Numerous visits of monks and nuns in this period have been a particular occasion of joy and of confirmation in the monastic vocation. Particularly welcome and appreciated were, first of all, the visits of fr. Josep M. Soler, abbot of Montserrat (Spain), and of br. Pier-Yves Emery of the Community of Taizé, on the occasion of two courses given by them to the novices of our community.
Longer stays were those of br. Fadi Basheer of Mor Mattai monastery (Mossul, Iraq), who, as already a few years back, spent several months with us; of fr. Filaret of the Kiev Lavra, who stayed a few weeks in Bose to learn rudimentary Italian; and of sr. Minke and sr. Pierette of the Community of Grandchamp, each of whom spent here a few days of rest.
We have then welcomed for brief periods or quick visits of a few hours, but not less pleasing for that: fr. Bernardino, prior general of Camaldoli, together with fr. Lorenzo of the Bardolino hermitage; sr. Maria Pia of Civitella S. Paolo, recently elected abbess; fr. Nino and fr. Marco of the St Joseph hermitage in Fiesole; sr. Mercede and sr, Anna Maria of Viboldone; br. Maurizio of Dumenza; fr. Michel van Parys of Chevetogne (Belgium); fr. Ivo of Westmalle (Belgium); br. François Lapeyrère of Baumont (France), together with br. Paul of Demeure Notre-Père; sr. Maria of the Community of Pomeyrol (France); br. Wuissan, a monk of the Assyrian Church from Mossul (Iraq) who is now studying theology in Italy.
In addition, in this period br. Robert of the Franciscan fraternity of the Porziuncula and little sr. Haragewine of Addis Abeba have completed and ended their time of “monastic apprenticeship” in Bose. The little sisters of Jesus of their General council, led by little sr. Gertrud, have also spent some days in Bose sharing our community life.
Other occasions of reinforcing fraternal ties in the common vocation have been the visits of some of us to monasteries and communities in Italy and abroad. Br. Guido preached spiritual exercise to the community of Chevetogne and also visited the monasteries of Rochefort, Clerlande, and Ermeton; br. Luciano participated in a conference on monastic formation at the St Scholastica monastery of Civitella S. Paolo, where br. Enzo also went at the end of April to represent our community at the liturgy for the blessing of the abbess; br. Sabino held several talks on the Fathers for the community of Viboldone; br. Luciano and sr. Donata together with some novices participated in the annual session of the Internoviciat of Cistercian monasteries of south-eastern France, held in Cîteaux; and sr. Alice visited the Benedictine monastery of Mariendonk near Kempen (Germany).