st benedict’s monastery

Reflection for the Second Sunday in Advent at St Benedict’s Monastery in Harkerville – by Br Josias

Reflections, Sermons / /

Today marks the second week of Advent. As we might well know, Advent is the period of waiting and preparing for both the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas, acknowledgement of his perpetual presence as encountered in the Eucharist and anticipation of his return at the Second Coming. In this second week, a candle of Peace is lit. Traditionally, the second candle is called the Bethlehem Candle, and it symbolizes peace and preparation, reflecting Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the peace that Christ’s birth brings.1

In his Rule, St. Benedict encourages his followers to “seek peace and pursue it.” 2 Before we strive for peace, we need to accept that there is conflict in our hearts, our lives, and in our world. Dealing with that conflict will bring all the necessary peace. So let us pursue peace. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts, minds and souls in Christ Jesus.3 Amen!

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1 See https://www.mercyhome.org/blog/sunday-mass/advent-wreath/

2 RB: Prologue 17

3 Philippians 4:7

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November 2025 News – Establishing St Benedict’s Monastery in Harkerville

4 Comments / News from the Priory / /

To say that the month of November was eventful for the monastic community would be something of an understatement.

The application to register the transfer of the Harkerville property was lodged at the Cape Town deeds office at the beginning of the month. It was rejected a week later due to a technicality, which was corrected and the application was re-submitted the next day. This meant that the registration would probably not be effected before the date we had agreed with the removal company. Re-scheduling our relocation would have complicated matters in various ways best avoided; the then-current owners of the property graciously allowed us to move onto the property before registration if need be, and generously waived their right to occupational rental.

So, preparations to relocate began in earnest, including finalizing what to take and where to put it. We entered an extended period of separation from people and places we had been regularly interacting with while resident at Volmoed. On 10 November, the Monday of our final full week at Volmoed, Brs Aelred and Mpumelelo hiked up to the Cross on the ridge overlooking the Volmoed property and waited there for the early morning mist to clear so they could admire the spectacular views. Br Aelred attended his final Monday art class with Alyson Guy. Br Josias visited the Ithemba special needs centre for the last time on the following day.

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Reflection for the First Sunday in Advent at St Benedict’s Monastery in Harkerville – by Br Aelred

Reflections, Sermons / /

Dear Family in Christ.

We find ourselves, again, standing around the light of the first lit Advent candle.  This time, in our new monastery as we prepare to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We are reminded anew that Christmas is not just about a baby being born, but it is about God Himself, the Creator entering His creation, and this is why it changes everything.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, He took on our humanity completely, fully and truly, and united it to His Divinity, in order that we might be fully restored from our wounded, broken and separated nature. With the incarnation, God entered our darkness to fill it with light, entered our weakness to fill it with strength and hope, and entered our death to give us life. Therefore, we prepare our hearts for the salvation event of Christmas, not a holiday or just a story: the Creator stepping into His creation. So, may this time of preparation through Advent be filled with Hope.

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