VISITATION AND  FIRST VESPERS OF ST AUGUSTINE

Fr Andy Cribben, one of the Visitators, and our organist Mary Sherlock at the Reception after First Vespers for St Augustine

Our two Visitators, Abbot Ron Rossi (Daylesford, USA) and Fr Andy Cribben (De Pere, USA) came on to us in Storrington after conducting the visitation at St Philip's Priory, Chelmsford. They spent four days sharing our life, looking back over the past six years and exploring with us our vision and ideas for the future. After the formal visitation ended, Fr Andy stayed on at the Priory until Sunday.

The Prior and parishioner Noel Fay	Some of our other guests

The week culminated in a celebration, on 27th August, of First Vespers of the Solemnity of St Augustine, the author of our Rule of Life. We had invited all parishioners together with local clergy (Catholic and other denominations), other religious from around the diocese and friends involved in Priory Life initiatives. Over 100 people joined us for Vespers and a reception afterwards in the Priory.

On 28th August, the Solemnity of St Augustine, Fr Paul travelled to Chelmsford to concelebrate a Mass during which Br Stephen Morrison made his Simple Profession of Vows. The novitiate usually lasts for at least one year; this is followed by Simple Profession which lasts for at least three years. The last stage of incorporation into a Canonry of our Order is Solemn Profession which is, of course, a lifelong commitment. Ordination to the diaconate and, eventually, priesthood usually follow Solemn Profession.

The Mass took place in the Parish Church of Our Lady Immaculate, one of the parishes run by the Canonry in Chelmsford. The Mass was attended by parishioners, Br Stephen's family and friends and other clergy and religious.

Growth in the vineyard appears to be promising. The vines have a lot of fruit and may yield even more than last year's 4,000 kilos - if we manage to keep the birds off. We will be putting in place various bird-scaring devices from now on, culminating in our Scarecrow Show on 5th September. We estimate that we will be harvesting the grapes sometime between 10th and 20th October.

Two Norbertine confreres from the Abbey of Averbode (Belgium) brought 15 scouts and guides to camp on our back lawn for two nights at the beginning of August. They were on their way to visit Brownsea Island, having attended a couple of international scout meetings near London.

We have been preparing for our six-yearly visitation ( a sort of Order inspection!) which will take place from 23 to 26 August. The visitators are both from the USA, Abbot Emeritus Ron Rossi of Daylesford and Andy Cribben of De Pere.

PRIORY VISITORS

Brother Christopher Lim with the Prior of Storrington in our Vineyard

At the beginning of July we welcomed Bro Christopher Lim, a simply professed member of the Canonry of Queens Park, Perth, Western Australia for a few days. Christopher is in Europe for a meeting of the Juniors of the Order which will take place in the Abbey of Tongerlo, Belgium, later in the month. Christopher's first stop was in Wilten Abbey, Austria. From us he went to visit our confreres in Chelmsford. His route to Tongerlo will take him to the Abbeys of Strahov (Prague), Mondaye (France), Leffe and Grimbergen (Belgium). Whilst with us he proved an able helper in the Priory vineyard and a good cook!

We also welcomed two confreres from the Abbey of Averbode (Belgium) who dropped into the Priory for lunch on their way to a ten day break in the Cotswolds.

On Sunday, 27th June, the hottest day of the year so far, we welcomed Catenians from around the Diocese (Province 18) on their annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of England Priory. Each year the Catenians come to celebrate a Mass for the repose of the souls of deceased wives of members. Some 140 people attended the Mass, at which Fr Prior presided. This was followed by a procession to the outside shrine where the Angelus was recited. Tea was then served back in our new refectory where our visitors were able to enjoy the sunshine in the cloister garden and the new terrace.