Despite grim weather we are rarely lacking in events here at Stift Klosterneuburg. Lately they have spanned everything from sad endings such as the death of our Dom Leo and the departure of the Holy See's nuncio, to a musical production organized by Dom Meinrad entitled, "The Beginning".

Der Beginn (The Beginning)

Dom Meinrad organized this musical production which dealt with the issues of the creation story in Genesis. A play by Michael Hoppe, the production was played several times, both at the abbey as well as in Donaufeld. The musicians, singers and cast were drawn from various parts of the abbey's pastoral work, especially the youth. This production is very much in the abbey's tradition of using the arts as a vehicle for evangelization. It was a very popular show.

Day Trip to Stift Herzogenburg

In order to brighten up January and to relax after the Christmas hectic, several of us decided to pay a visit to the Augustinian canonry nearest Klosterneuburg, Stift Herzogenburg. There we received magnificent hospitality from Dom Andreas Kaiser, the dean of Stift Herzogenburg.

Fr. Anthony Robbie visits

This winter we were graced with the presence of an old friend of the brethren, Fr. Anthony Robbie, a secular priest of Sydney, Australia. While he was here, Elias and Daniel took him on an excursion to Stift Heiligenkreuz, where they were entertained by Fr. Alcuin, rector of the seminary there and longtime friend of Stift Klosterneuburg.

Fr. Anthony with Doms Daniel and Elias in the cloister of Stift Heiligenkreuz.

Fr. Alcuin explains features of the library

Why does this look like the Yalta Conference playing out in 1976?

General Hospital Klosterneuburg!

A few weeks ago a candidate visiting the community from the U.S. had to be hospitalized two days after his arrival. Michael Fudge was operated on for appendicitis in the Klosterneuburg Hospital on February 23rd. The operation was successful and after four days Michael was sent back to the monastery. The operation meant prolonging his visit by another two weeks. Unfortunate as the circumstances may have been, we were glad to have him in our midst for a longer time. What he thought about it has yet to be recorded!

Dom Clemens displays a distinctly "baroque" compassion, while Michael Fudge grins and bears it

A death in the Family...

R.I.P

Admodum Reverendus Dominus

Leo Kurt Musina, Can. Reg.

Dom Leo Musina was 91 years old as he went to his eternal reward. One of the abbey's "giants", he had served as a priest and canon for many years, both within the abbey as well as in its parishes. For many years he held the title and position of "Zentraldirektor", responsible for the many temporal aspects of the abbey's life. In his declining years the community still greeted him enthusiastically whenever he was well enough to come to the refectory for meals with his trusted companion and caretaker, Dom Conrad Niel. He was famous throughout Klosterneuburg and environs for his kindness, shrewdness and generosity of spirit. He will be greatly missed.

The wake and funeral were in the classic Klosterneuburg tradition and very impressive. Below some pictures.

The brethren gather outside Dom Leo's room, waiting to escort his body in procession to the Fountain House for the wake	The men from Klosterneuburg's Fuchs Funeral Home bring the casket lid into Dom Leo's room.	The Dean processes down the staircase ahead of the casket
The casket follows	The Dean presides over the first wake prayers, a ceremony which will be repeated every day after the Chapter Mass until the day of burial	The juniors chanting the prayers for the dead

The Departure of the Papal Nuncio, His Excellency, Archbishop Edmond Farhat

After his years of yeomanlike service to the Church, Archbishop Edmond Farhat retired as papal nuncio to Austria. This was his last official posting with the Vatican Diplomatic Corps. One of his last visits was to Stift Klosterneuburg. Provost Bernhard gave him a statue of St. Leopold as a going-away present in the name of the community. In his speech, Archbishop Farhat expressed his gratitude to the Stift for its many services to the Nunciature. He gave special mention to the festivities which the Stift hosted on the occasion of His Holiness the Pope's 80th birthday. We are grateful to the Archbishop for his many services, not least of which was his ordination of Dom Josef Norys to both the diaconate and the priesthood. We say a fond "vergelt's Gott" ("may God repay") for all he has done for us and pray that God will grant him a peaceful and fruitful retirement.

Provost Bernhard gives Archbishop Fahrhat the image of St. Leopold, a symbol of peace

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