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A Story of mercy and love
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Yours is princely rule in the day of your power in holy splendor, from the womb before the day star I have begotten you (Psalm 110:3)
These are words from the Christmas Divine Office. I heard this in my first visit to Portsmouth Abbey. I stayed for the Christmas Octave. I came back again to visit after two years for the Octave. I think this Antiphon spoke to me mysteriously. I do not know what it is, or how much it means to me. But I am sure it’s this mystery which keeps me here and will keep me here for a long time.
I am Br. Benedict Maria and my story is one of Mercy and of Love. God has been merciful to me and everyone around me has loved me. I sometimes wonder what else one could expect.
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I was born and raised in bunch of Islands belonging to India in the Bay of Bengal named Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I have two elder sisters and one elder brother. My parents raised us all in the Catholic faith and tradition. My family has a long lineage of being Catholics and I guess our roots are tied up with St. Francis Xavier and St. John Britto.
After completing my high school in the Islands, I was sent to do my Bachelor’s Degree on mainland Tamil Nadu, India. I graduated from Government College of Engineering – Bargur. In this small town I enjoyed my time away from home with my friends. At about the end of my college term I had participated in a retreat organized by Jesus Youth Movement and I had a renewed faith experience. I will call this experience “continuous” as one of my Novice Masters will say that all mystical experiences are continuous. My faith grew as I have been part of this movement.
During Christmas in Office - Chennai, India
I worked for an MNC (multi-national company) in Chennai and my work sent me to the United States to work with my clients in Philadelphia. I have made plenty of good friends through my work, studies and through faith life. They all are still in touch with me. I also worked for a beautiful small company at the end of my career; colleagues of this company are very close to me.
All through this journey I think I have been accompanied by the Grace of God. It was all simple and beautiful. There were tough times but the love of God has always dissolved all harsh feelings. I discerned for religious life with the help of my Jesuit Spiritual Director in Philadelphia. I wanted to go back to India and be a missionary priest. But God wrapped me in his mystery and held me here in Portsmouth Abbey.
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With Godchild on the Day of Simple Vows
I had no idea that it’s going to work out so far. I thought I may not make it just for first 40 days in this monastery. But as I lived this life, all areas of my daily life gradually changed. The Rule of St. Benedict slowly became a yoke and not a heavy burden. As God ordered my life around the Holy Mass and the Divine Office – a freedom started to appear. Yes, a sense of freedom in this so-called narrow way of life!
I am surprised. Isn’t this wonderful!
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In St Louis Abbey Kitchen
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In Portsmouth Abbey Kitchen
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I was sent to St. Louis Abbey, Missouri, for my novitiate year. St. Louis Abbey is our sister monastery which is helping Portsmouth Abbey, as we are few in numbers. This monastery-to-monastery relationship came to me as a surprise. I thought I was signing up for a small community but not anymore. I loved my novitiate time in St. Louis Abbey. I enjoyed every bit of it and all the classes taught by monks. My heart expanded in St. Louis to accept the community as a large family.
Serving In Mass
God teaches surprising things to a monk in his monastic journey; he taught me, as we may say in Greek, monos to koinonia, which means, from alone to community.
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