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Abbatial Election at Klosterneuburg! Illustrissimus ac Reverendissimus Dominus Dominus Bernardus Backovsky |
The Process
Today, December 14, 2005, the chapter of Augustinian canons of Stift Klosterneuburg convened to elect or reelect a new provost. Provost Bernhard's term, specified when he was first elected ten years ago, had lapsed and the time had come to either reelect him or select another man to be the Praepositus, the "one who is placed before".
The process began with a votive Mass to the Holy Spirit which took place in the ancient chapter house of the Stift where the Verdun Altar is located and the relics of St. Leopold are present. This is the room in which the medieval provosts were elected, the Rule would be read and all official house business would have been carried out. It is the second most important room in any monastery after the church. This gave a powerful sense of continuity to the assembled capitulars (the voting members) as well as to the assembled novices and juniors. The Mass was a pontifical Mass celebrated by the provost of Stift Vorau in Styria, who as "convisitator" of the Austrian Congregation of Augustinian Canons also presided over the subsequent voting. After the Mass was over the community processed out and the capitulars repaired to the Prelature for the actual election.
The voting didn't take long, and within an hour the novices and juniors waiting patiently in the Altstift heard the peal of all the abbey's bells, announcing to all of Klosterneuburg that an event of tremendous significance for the city of Klosterneuburg as well as the Stift had taken place: a provost had been elected, in this case, reelected, for that was the overwhelming choice of the capitulars. Provost Bernhard Backovsky was reelected for another ten years. This was a tremendous show of support for the Provost as well as for the direction he has taken the community. He can continue the many excellent projects already begun and conceive new ones as well.
Illlustrissimus ac Reverendissimus Dominus Dominus
Bernhard Backovsky
blesses the community after the Te Deum...oh yeah, HE'S THE MAN!
The brethren were wreathed in smiles afterwards as they gathered in the sacristy to prepare to go into the Stiftskirche to sing the Te Deum, the ancient Latin hymn sung on such solemn occasions. The ceremony was short and moving. After the entrance procession and the singing of the hymn, the members of the community came forward to receive the kiss of peace from Provost Bernhard. Our novice, Dom Meinrad, was unable to be there as he was in the organ loft. He played a thunderous and glorious improvisation on the Te Deum as the community processed out.
The mayor of Klosterneuburg, Gottfried Schuh, was also present for the ceremony in the church and for the lunch afterwards. It is not lost on him that the fate of Stift and city go hand in hand. He was very moved and delighted, as he and the Provost are good friends.
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The brethren delightedly prepare for the Te Deum -featuring Doms Walter (L) and Dom Andreas (R) |
Provost Gerhard Rechberger of Stift Vorau says it all with his smile as he gets ready
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The mitre patiently awaits its bearer |
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The community processes into the church to glorious strains on the organ by Dom Meinrad |
Provost Gerhard takes the provost's stall in the church. The double-headed eagle of the Habsburgs presides above
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Enter the man himself |
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The Dean watches happily from his stall |
The Provost leads the community in the Te Deum
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After, all the brethren came forward to offer the Provost the kiss of peace. Traditionally this was also a sign of fealty
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The Provost concludes the ceremony |
The community leaves the choir |
On the way back to the sacristy |
And then there's always LUNCH!!!
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The atmosphere was jubilant as we sat down to dinner |
Smiles were everywhere...
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From the senior members (Doms Conrad and Leo).. |
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...To the most junior -Dom Meinrad |
The ring, symbol of jurisdiction, is on the right hand of the right man! Good stone!
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Mayor Schuh, mayor of Klosterneuburg, toasts the Provost and promises him a whole new list of exciting projects they can work on together. Does the Provost look disconcerted? Maybe a bit. |
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Provost Gerhard shows Dom Floridus the important documents validating the election |
The decree of election |
The letter to the papal nuncio in Vienna, declaring to His Holiness the Pope the results of the election |
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