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Brother Sixtus Roslevich reflects on his long connection with the Manquehue Apostolic Movement, particularly through the lens of his retreat in Patagonia in 2002. He tells us that his journey, strengthened by lectio divina and impacted by a powerful conversion experience, and enriched through encounters with Abbot Patrick Barry, founder Jose Manuel Eguiguren, and others of the Movement, had an undeniable impact on his monastic vocation.

In offering his greetings and best wishes for 2021, Prior Michael Brunner reflects on the passage of time, and our orientation to time through the birth of Christ. He encourages us to make the best of this new chapter of 365 days.

Prior Michael calls our attention to theosis, the theology of “divinization” popular in eastern Christianity. We speak such a language in the Mass as well, when we pray in light of God’s humbling Himself in taking on our humanity, that we may “come to share in the divinity of Christ.” This prayer in the Mass points to the Incarnation and leads us to consider the feast of Christmas.

It is with faith in the promises of Christ that we share with you the news of the passing of Reverend Dom Julian Stead O.S.B.'43, monk and priest of Portsmouth Abbey and alumnus of Portsmouth Priory School. Fr. Julian died early on the morning of Dec 23rd, 2020 at St. Clare-Newport where he had been in residence for the past several years. Please join us in praying for the repose and eternal happiness of Fr. Julian.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich reminds us to beware the Ides of March, notorious from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. And precisely a half-year later, this year’s Third Sunday of Advent, six months into our extended pandemic restrictions, comes his latest update.

Brother Sixtus Roslevich reflects on images associated with Advent, seemingly one of the comparatively simpler, more quiet of liturgical seasons. Pitting the Advent wreath against the Christmas Star, the Magi, or even the dreidel or menorah, we find the season understated in its mode of anticipation - but no less significant in the formative memories it contains for us.

While noting that Saint Benedict does not mention Advent, Prior Michael tells us that, “the whole spirit of the Rule is to be a guide for making one’s whole life an Advent looking forward to union with Jesus Christ by living a radical Christ-like life.” And in this year’s season, muted and subdued in our time of pandemic, “the joy of anticipation has an edge to it.” In his Advent message, the Prior invites us to enter into this forward-looking season of preparation. 

Brother Sixtus Roslevich, in an October note to oblates and friends of Portsmouth Abbey, offers a reflection on the theme of "words." Inspired by his interaction with some of the texts he has found in his inherited office in the monastery, and their physical link to the community's past, the very tangible experience of words elicits his own attempt to verbalizing an experience of words, of the Word, and of what may be beyond words.

In offering an assessment of our present circumstances, Father Michael draws on Robert F. Kennedy, as well as Grandmaster Flash. The latter, for the uninitiated, wrote the 1982 hit song, "The Message," with its most famous line: "Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge…" The first comment currently posted beneath a Youtube clip of the song (are footnotes needed for that citation?): "This song is SO the cut for RIGHT NOW!" Fr. Michael offers some RFK hit quotations from the 1960's which also address our present moment with unsettling clarity, calling for, after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., "not division…, not hatred…; but love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another."

A letter from Oblate Director to the greater Abbey community with his recent reflection and some updates.

An update from Br. Sixtus for the July issue of the Current.

Today, on the Memorial of the martyrs St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, we share an Open Letter to the Portsmouth Abbey Community from Prior Administrator Fr. Michael Brunner, O.S.B., on behalf of the School and Monastery.

In an update this week, Brother Sixtus Roslevich comments on various “signs” we might seek at this time: “A popular song from my first year of university had an earworm refrain that went: ‘Sign, sign, everywhere a sign, blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind. Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?’

Prior Michael G. Brunner wishes many blessings and invites all friends, alumni, family, faculty, and oblates to join the monks in prayers and for the Holy Mass online in this message.

Holy Week Message by the Oblate Director.

Oblate News from Br Sixtus.

After consulting with Fr. Michael Brunner and other campus officials last evening, we have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of everyone’s health and safety that we sadly cancel this Sunday’s (March 15) Lenten Day of Recollection.

Our winter crew from the Manquehue Apostolic Movement returning home to Chile this week after making their short visit to St Louis Abbey, MO on the way.

About twenty Confirmandi made their way to Attleboro, Massachusetts, led by Fr. Francis Hein and assisted by Fr. Edward Mazuski and several of the visiting Manquehue group.