News from the Priory

September 2025 News

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The transfer papers for the property in Harkerville outside Plettenberg Bay that we are in the process of acquiring were signed at the beginning of September. The transfer is all but ready to be lodged at the deeds office in Cape Town, with provision having been made for a process of regularization of the property with the local Bitou Municipality after the transfer. Attention is being given to what happens after the Brothers leave Volmoed, in terms of such aspects as the future use of the Priory buildings, the form of a Sunday morning worship service, and even the continued ringing of the Angelus bell at midday, to call all of Volmoed to a time of prayer.

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August 2025 News

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Br Ephrem has returned to our Holy Cross Monastery in the USA, after spending a month with the monastic community here. In addition to teaching a weekly class for all of the Junior monks – those both here and in the USA – and meeting with each Junior individually, he enjoyed several outings together with the Juniors. Br Ephrem also celebrated at several Eucharists, preached and contributed his piano skills at Sunday mass, and even cooked a couple of times for our monastic community. His enthusiastic presence was much appreciated. Before he left us, we enjoyed being hosted to supper by Alyson and Mike, one of the long-time Volmoed residential couples.

The timing of Br Ephrem’s visit with us meant that he could accompany us when we returned for a couple of days to the property in Harkerville outside Plettenberg Bay that we are in the process of acquiring. With the transfer approaching, we decided to spend more time there so that we could improve the preparations for our relocation. The current owners generously allowed us to stay on the property for two nights. While there, we met with several people involved in the negotiations, including Helene the sales agent and Dave the property inspector, whose contributions have been very helpful.

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July 2025 News

Celebrations, News from the Priory / /

One of the highlights of the past month was the annual celebration of the Feast Day of St Benedict, which we shared with the resident Volmoed community and the Volmoed staff. A festal Eucharist at noon was followed by a fine catered meal. The awareness that this would almost certainly be the last such celebration we would host at Volmoed in this way added a certain poignancy to the occasion, and we took the opportunity to express our gratitude for the hospitality and support we have experienced during our time here. Br Josias received Rev Dr Robert Marankey from Cape Town as an Associate of Holy Cross during the Eucharistic celebration.

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June 2025 News

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Before our Order’s annual Chapter meeting formally began at our Holy Cross Monastery near West Park, in upstate New York in the USA, the entire group of six junior monks (including the three from South Africa) were taken by Br Ephrem for a day of hiking and sightseeing in the Catskills. This was a good time of being together for all of them.

The actual Chapter meeting included the passing of resolutions on various aspects of our life, presentations on such matters as the Order’s financial situation, our Holy Cross School near Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, and the journey towards a new home for the community currently at St Benedict’s Priory in South Africa. There were also elections to positions on the Order’s Council. Br Roger continues to serve on the Council for another year, as does Br Scott. The Council met several times while we were all over there.

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May 2025 News

News from the Priory / /

This past month, Br Mpumelelo was able to enjoy time with family and friends in KZN, including a visit to the Sisters of the Community of Jesus’ Compassion. After his return, our monastic community enjoyed a braai lunch together while celebrating Br Mpumelelo’s birthday with him. Earlier that same weekend, we had also enjoyed a time of celebration of Esther de Gruchy’s birthday together with her family and friends.

Br Josias hosted a first online session of South African Associates meeting together to begin discussing the book, A Hidden Wholeness (The Journey Toward an Undivided Life) by Parker J Palmer. The Associates will continue the book discussion on a monthly basis. Br Josias continued to spend time at the local Ithemba special-needs centre most weeks.

Br Aelred participated in another module of the online Spiritual Direction course he has been attending. Brothers continued to provide spiritual accompaniment to individuals online.

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April 2025 News

News from the Priory / /

A significant focus of our community life during the past month was of course on our observance of Holy Week. We started our preparations for this by making palm crosses together, for use during the Palm Sunday procession in remembrance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for us to begin the procession outside in the chapel garden.

We constructed an Altar of Repose in the smaller chapel together during the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, before the evening liturgy which included foot-washing, the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar. Most of those who attended spent some time in silent prayer before the Altar of Repose afterwards, remembering Jesus with his disciples in the garden before his betrayal and arrest.

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March 2025 News

News from the Priory / /

Br Luc left us at the beginning of March, for a more extended time with family and friends in Kenya before returning to the USA. We wish him well in this transition. We are grateful for the contributions Br Luc made while with us, especially in his role as the local Formator, accompanying Br Mpumelelo as the latter prepared to make his Initial Profession.

Our Ash Wednesday observance at the beginning of Lent was a more intimate affair this year, in the side chapel due to a funeral taking place in the main chapel. Nevertheless, we were joined by several people, including some from the Tutu Foundation group who were at Volmoed.

Volmoed hosted a quiet day for the local Anglican parish on the following Saturday. In the morning, Br Roger provided some input on ways of praying the psalms. In the afternoon, the Brothers made themselves available for individual spiritual accompaniment and Br Daniel heard several confessions in the sacrament of reconciliation.

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January/February 2025 News – Initial Profession of Br Mpumelelo Khambule OHC

Celebrations, News from the Priory / /

Br Robert James, the Superior of our Order, arrived from the USA in the second half of January to spend a few weeks with our monastic community. Some of his time with us involved his official annual visitation, during which he met individually with all members of the community and then together with the whole community, to discuss our current situation and future possibilities.

The highlight of a relatively eventful month was surely the Initial Profession of the Monastic Vow by our Br Mpumelelo, on Saturday 1 February. Although Br Mpumelelo’s family were unable to attend, we were very happy to have four Sisters from the Community of Jesus’ Compassion in KZN with us for this joyful occasion. It was also good to have Max, an Associate of Holy Cross, and his wife Ellen, with us from Canada, having been visiting family in Cape Town.

Br Robert James preached and received Br Mpumelelo’s vow. The text of Br Robert’s sermon can be found here. We give thanks to God that all three of our novice monks have now persisted to profession, as we continue to appreciate the various ways in which they have enriched our community life and witness through their presence.

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December 2024/January 2025 News

1 Comment / News from the Priory / /

We are pleased to confirm that our Br Mpumelelo was formally approved for Initial Profession. We look forward to the ceremony on 1 February when he will make the monastic vow for a period of three years. Please keep Br Mpumelelo in your prayers as he prepares for this significant commitment. He has just returned from making his pre-profession retreat.

December began and ended with initial visits from two men whom Br Luc has been accompanying as they try to discern a possible vocation with our monastic community. Actually being present to our life here, praying with us, sharing meals and conversations, is of course a very important aspect of this discernment.

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November 2024 News – Rowan Williams at Volmoed

News from the Priory / /

We were privileged to have the presence and input of Bp Dr Rowan Williams, a former Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, at Volmoed during the first half of November. His deep spirituality humbly shared was much appreciated.

Bp Rowan provided input on the theme of passions and freedoms to the Volmoed Colloquium during the first weekend of November. Some of the colloquium group attended Vespers with the Brothers on the Friday evening, and most of the group attended the Eucharist on the Sunday morning. This was followed by the final colloquium session, during which Bp Rowan spoke about freedom with (dynamic relationships that welcome diversity by reframing questions) in addition to freedom from and freedom for.

During the following week, Bp Rowan provided input on the theme of the prophetic witness of the church today for a retreat that was offered at Volmoed. There were one or two input sessions each morning (they can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/@CrossingRivers2024/videos), and a question-and-answer session after supper each evening.

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