LITURGY

Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B.

Portsmouth Abbey this weekend, on Saturday, May 7, 2022, celebrates an extraordinary and vital event for its community, the Blessing of Abbot Michael Brunner, O.S.B. This will be only the fourth such blessing in the community’s 104-year history, while over the last half-century it has held the status of an abbey. The Blessing of an Abbot maintains a distinctive place in the liturgical life of the Church. At the time of publication of this issue, the blessing and reception will be well underway, with Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence presiding and offering the “Prayer of Blessing.” While a more extensive report will be provided in next week’s issue, it is appropriate with this issue of The Current to preface and proclaim this special event.  

It is very difficult to overstate the significance of the abbot in a monastery. He plays a crucial role in monastic life. Benedict has much to say on the qualities needed, which underlines the importance of the blessing of an abbot, and of our prayers that accompany the blessing. There is much to pray for, and much need of blessings, since in blessing an abbot, the spiritual health of the entire community is to be considered. Saint Benedict turns promptly to the role of the abbot, devoting the second chapter of his Rule to the qualities an abbot must possess, and the methods of leadership he must be capable of utilizing. Famously, the abbot holds the “place of Christ”: “To be worthy of the task of governing a monastery, the abbot must always remember what his title signifies and act as a superior should. He is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, since he is addressed by a title of Christ, as the Apostle indicates: You have received the spirit of adoption of sons by which we exclaim, abba, father (Rom 8:15).”  

 

 

The abbatial chair

The abbot is exhorted to realize that his role is subtle and complex. He must use “reproof and rebuke,” he must be “devoted and tender,” he must “threaten and coax” - all depending on a firm knowledge of the individual monk he is relating to as Christ. The stakes, Benedict states, could not be higher: “The abbot must always remember what he is and remember what he is called, aware that more will be expected of a man to whom more has been entrusted. He must know what a difficult and demanding burden he has undertaken: directing souls and serving a variety of temperaments, coaxing, reproving and encouraging them as appropriate. ...let him realize that on judgment day he will surely have to submit a reckoning to the Lord for all their souls – and indeed for his own as well.” The Rule returns to these exhortations in Chapter 64 when outlining the election of an abbot: “He must hate faults but love the brothers. When he must punish them, he should use prudence and avoid extremes; otherwise, by rubbing too hard to remove the rust, he may break the vessel. He is to distrust his own frailty and remember not to crush the bruised reed (Isa 42:3). By this we do not mean that he should allow faults to flourish, but rather, as we have already said, he should prune them away with prudence and love as he sees best for each individual.” 

With such a critical role of authority bestowed on an abbot, the blessing of an abbot, with prayer for the grace to fulfill such obligations, stands out as of the highest importance. It is accorded a time-honored liturgical service at which the local ordinary typically presides. It is recommended, if circumstances allow, that the Mass occur on a Sunday or feast day, that it be “concelebrated with the officiating prelate and the abbot-elect by the religious assisting the abbot-elect, the abbots, and other priests present.” The solemnity and significance thus expressed highlights the importance of the abbatial role. The liturgy recognizes the authority and the responsibility being assumed by the abbot, representing them in its symbolism, and praying over him, that God may guide and strengthen him. The rite thus incorporates both the presentation of the abbot by his community, and an examination of the abbot-elect by the bishop:

 

 

The Rule and the Pontificalia

After the examination, the congregation offers a litany of prayer over the abbot-elect, and the presiding prelate then offers the prayer of blessing.

The need for God’s grace is accentuated in the blessing: “Give him the gifts of the Spirit. Set him on fire with love for Your glory and for the service of Your Church...” When the Abbot is handed a copy of the Rule of Saint Benedict, he is exhorted to use it, “As God gives you strength and human frailty allows...” All is offered in service to the brothers. The liturgy symbolically expresses his authority in the bestowal of “pontificalia,” notably, the abbatial ring and the crozier: “Take this ring, the seal of fidelity...,” the bishop exhorts, “Take this shepherd’s staff and show loving care for the brothers whom the Lord has entrusted to you; for He will demand an account of your stewardship.” As noted above, these exhortations reflect the substance and the very language of the Rule handed down from Saint Benedict. And when all of these prayers over the abbot are completed, the concelebrants, the monastic community, and the entire congregation then turn to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, to the language and the very substance given by our Lord Himself, a Blessing offered anew on the altar.