Sunday January 31st brought us again early in the morning to Urbano College Chapel for Mass at 830AM. While the Liturgy was always in Italian, Mass readings and intercessions as well as homilies were varied as to language: Spanish, French and English.
Then it was back to the bleachers and the headphones for excellent talks on Autonomy of the Monasteries, the Biblical Foundations of Cloister and the present and Future of the Federations.
One key thought on autonomy that was striking was that if a Monastery does not meet the requirements of autonomy because of aging, poor finances, etc, but still exhibits some vital signs of life, the Monastery can be “temporarily adopted” by a more flourishing Monastery of the Order until it achieves or regains the criteria to be autonomous again. That was a very hopeful point!
The Holy See greatly desires that all monasteries be federated, but nevertheless this condition still remains optional. However it is for the good of the community to share resources and it was emphasized over and over that federations do not threaten autonomy.
A leisurely lunch period, again buffet style with no seating arrangements other than steps or stoop, yet with tasty food, gave all a break, and then afterwards we could walk about the campus, pray in the chapel or meet with friends, new or old.
These two days of monastic meetings really capped the experience for many.
In the evening another vespers service with all 800 of us in the Chapel gave a fitting conclusion to these special monastic days.
