A light in the darkness...

 

• Report and Pictures from the Study Week of the Confederation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine

The General of the Lateran Congregation, Abbot General Backovsky, Abbot Primate Maggs
 

The week following the feast of St. Leopold, Fr. Markus, the Novice Master and the novices, traveled with the Provost to the international gathering of Canons Regular at Neustift, the site of the study week for the Confederation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine.

Neustift is located in southern Tyrolia, a region just south of the Alps.  Though originally part of the Austrian Empire and still a German-speaking region, it is part of Italy.  Neustift is one of the six houses belonging to the Austrian Congregation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine.  Its founders, the blessed Hartmann, was before coming to Neustift the first Canon Regular provost of Klosterneuburg.  His feast day, December 12, is celebrated by both communities.
 

United in the Eucharist
 

This year's study week brought together Canons Regular from the various congregations of the confederation, including the Lateran Congregation, the Austrian Congregation, Canons of St. Maurice and Great St. Bernard, the Canons Regular of the Immaculate Conception, and the more recently founded congregations of St. Victor, Windesheim and Mary Mother of the Redeemer as well as the Brothers of the Common Life.  This diverse group of new and ancient communities, speaking different languages and living out the Canonical Life in differing ways came together this year to prepare for next year's Congress at which the successor to the current Abbot Primate, the Very Rev. Anthony Maggs, will be chosen.

 

 

A cheerful exchange between Fr. Bruno and the Abbot Primate

The discussion this years was moderated by the Canons Regular of St. Victor, who wished to direct the attention of their fellow Canons to St. Augustine's teaching on beauty and the importance of beauty in the live and ministry of the Canons as well as its value in the proclamation of the Gospel.
 

Breakfast in Neustift

 

Besides discussions, the gathering allowed the Canons of different congregations and houses to come to know one another, to pray together and to share meals, the basic elements of the common life as envisioned by the Father of the Order, St. Augustine.

 

• Continuing Developments in Norway
  
  On the first Sunday of Advent, Fr. Alois and Fr. Clemens officially assumed the pastoral care of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Bergen, one of the largest parishes in Norway.  The festivities brought together parishioners and others outside of the parish to greet the return of the Canons Regular to Norway after an absence of over 400 years.  Abbot General Bernhard Backovsky, the Provost of Stift Klosterneuburg, led the ceremonies and blessed the new residence for the canons in Bergen.
  
  Fr. Alois, the pastor of St. Paul, and Fr. Clemens, are working hard to care for the faithful as well as advancing the cause of the Canons Regular in Norway.  There are many exciting plans in the works including the founding of a lay association or third order. 
  
  
  
   

• December Feast Days
   

  • Bl. Jan van Ruysbroeck, priest and mystic - December 2th       
     

  • Bl. Archangelus Canetoli, priest - December 4th       
     

  • St. Peter Fourier, priest and founder - December 9th       
     

  • St. Vicelinus, bishop and missionary - December 11th
     

  • Bl. Hartmann, bishop - December 12th