A New Postulant

Edwin Kriel was received into our Order as a Postulant here at St Benedict’s Priory on Thursday 1 September. The postulancy is a six-month period of deeper discernment which is also the beginning of the process of monastic formation. We are very pleased that Edwin has joined our community and ask you to pray with us that the blessing will be mutual. Edwin comes to us from Worcester in the Western Cape.

A former member of the monastic community returned for a two-week visit at the beginning of August. He has applied to re-enter the Order, and intends to do so here at the Priory shortly before Holy Week next year. He spent some time with the nearby Camphill community during his visit, as he hopes to volunteer there in future.

During August, our relationship with the Volmoed community here was further strengthened through participation in the Healing of Memories process led by Rev Michael Lapsley. Br Roger provided some spiritual accompaniment to Rev Jerry Gelant of the local St Peter’s Anglican parish during his retreat at Volmoed. This is one of the ways in which the relationship between Volmoed and the parish is being strengthened.

We were pleased to welcome several groups and individuals to our chapel prayers and Eucharists. These included the Hout Bay Ingoma Choir and the Tutu Travel Seminar led by Rev Michael Battle. Clergy from the Archdeaconry of Constantia were at Volmoed on retreat. They joined us for chapel prayers and Eucharists, and we met with them individually for conversation about their spiritual lives and ministries.

Br Luc spent the second half of August in KwaZulu Natal, visiting friends and also men who have expressed interest in joining our community. He will be returning to the US on 15 September. Unfortunately, efforts to extend his visitor visa were unsuccessful, but we hope that he will be able to spend time with us again before too long.

Br Scott and Br Roger served on the search committee for the selection of a new principal for the Order’s Holy Cross School in Makhanda. We believe a good choice was made through a careful process, and are pleased that the preferred candidate has accepted the offer of the position. Br Roger will be representing the Order at the School as we announce the new principal at an event there on Holy Cross Day, 14 September.

Br Daniel continues his sabbatical. He has started a two-month pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago from the western coastal border between France and Spain. He has been blessed with experiences of beautiful places and interesting people. Please pray with us for Br Daniel as he continues his pilgrimage, for safety and good health for him, and that he would be a blessing as he is blessed.