‘Grandparents’ Abbey in Switzerland sends Crozier to new Abb0t – BC Catholic
United with the whole Church, Father Alban Riley, OSB, received the Abbey Blessing from Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB of Vancouver on September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross at Westminster Abbey.
Oblates of St. Benedict – men and women who support the religious community – and the wider Catholic community joined the seminary and monastic community to listen and witness a rare event in the life of the community.
Westminster Abbey is affectionately referred to as the “granddaughter” of Engelberg Abbey in Switzerland and the “daughter” of Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon. The Tradition and Rule of St. Benedict outlined the day the eighth-century rite was observed. As with many sacraments and sacramentals, the blessing takes place as part of the Mass.
After Archbishop Miller’s sermon, the elected abbot stood before the archbishop and was interrogated. At the end of the exam, the archbishop prayed, “May the Lord strengthen your resolve, give you all grace, and keep you in his protection always and everywhere.”
After the litany of the saints, sung in Latin, in Gregorian chant, Father Abbot Alban received the abbot’s blessing.
He was then presented with the Rule of St. Benedict and the symbols of his office: ring, miter and crosier. The ring also symbolizes the “sign of the marital relationship between the abbot and the monastic community”. The point of the miter is reminiscent of the “helmet of salvation” (Eph 6:17, 1 Thess 5:8). The two folded points symbolize the Old and New Testaments, and the two lobes (which hang down the back) are a reminder to preserve both the spirit and the letter of the Bible.”
The crosier that the abbot received was a gift from “grandmother” Engelberg and symbolizes Christ the Good Shepherd, according to whom “the abbot must take as an example and whom he must imitate for his flock”.
Considering the Rule of St. Benedict, which the abbot follows, it is easy to understand why in his closing words he thanked Jesus and the monastic community of Engelberg Abbey in Switzerland for giving me this cross.
His role is onerous, but as he alluded to in a casual conversation during the reception that followed, he does not assume it alone, but with Jesus Christ.
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