Participants in the Illuminating Manuscripts Program

A quiet and unassuming Wednesday afternoon amidst the heatwaves of summer found the most unexpected and delightful of events transpiring at the Stillman Dining Hall, adjacent to the monastery. On August 3, a “fiesta” materialized there, in celebration of a small summer youth program which joyfully displayed some of its great accomplishments over the summer months. In a series of sessions held at the abbey over a ten-week period, the group of a dozen children joined Brother Benedict Maria for a combination of prayer and practice, a monastic “ora et labora”, delving into the traditional practice of illuminating manuscripts. Gathering for fun, fellowship, and a focused study of manuscript production, the children discovered with Br. Benedict the spiritual benefits inherent in the production of beautiful sacred manuscripts.

The final fiesta reflected much of this spirit, opening with the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a prayer shared by parents, guests, and the children alike. The youngsters were visibly pleased and proud to be able to display their work for the guests, politely and diligently answering questions, offering explanations of their designs, giving witness to their lessons in faith. Brother Benedict noted that, “Every single element on display has come from ongoing discussion, questioning, review and effort from the participants.” A display on one of the dining tables illustrated the “tools of the trade,” including an assortment of calligraphic pens and tools. The display centered on an angled scripting board, constructed by Luis Raposo of the Abbey staff. Each participant had received a personal scripting board to take home, to continue their artistic and spiritual endeavors.

 

 

Drawing on display at the fiesta

The fiesta displays also included colored illustrations of Scriptural scenes and themes, illuminated pages of the Magnificat, and bibles newly-covered with the children’s artwork. Br. Benedict had thoughtfully incorporated one of their projects as covers for a bible, another take-home piece from the program. The students showed a selection of their illuminations of Mary’s “Magnificat”. Br. Benedict was grateful that this project provided them with an opportunity to learn and to memorize this important Marian prayer, which is offered each evening at Vespers. Their craftsmanship was accomplished, he noted, on the same vellum materials that would have been used by medieval monks for their illuminations. The group also gained exposure to the artistic and spiritual heritage of icon production, traveling to Clinton, Massachusetts to tour the Museum of Russian Icons. Br. Benedict notes that he, “had learned about the museum and thought it would be good to incorporate a visit into their program.” 

 

 

Br. Benedict presenting the projects

The project became a true experience of community, with many lending a helping hand. Br. Joseph Byron and Br. Sixtus Roslevich, both with extensive experience in a range of calligraphic and artistic production, contributed their time. The program also engaged the Portsmouth Institute’s Center for Science and the Liberal Arts, with a grant from the Lejeune Foundation to cover expenses. Mark Nadeau, head of the School’s art department offered support, together with Pauline St. Denis, who helped to organize materials and contacts. Portsmouth Oblate Marilyn Moriarty, a former Abbey parent and artist, and a co-founder of the Portsmouth Arts Guild, came in to assist, joined by Clara Alcolea, an aspiring and award-winning young Portsmouth artist. The dining hall staff graciously hosted the group for many of their sessions, including the final fiesta, with Br. Benedict thanking Sarah Rodriques and Gaetano Russo in particular for their support. The summer’s fiesta provided the capstone in community, as the prayerful and joyous gathering provided the young artists with a grateful and impressed audience of family and friends, and a well-earned celebration of their time and their accomplishments. 

 

 

The Hands of Heaven

Twelve days after the fiesta, another community celebration quietly emerged in the center of August, this one in the abbey church, for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. This central Marian feast provided an appropriate liturgical moment to lift up the children’s work. A display was arranged in the sanctuary by Brother Sixtus, with the Magnificat illuminations, as well as the icon of Mary produced by Brother Benedict. Using the text from the “Blessing of the Image of Mary,” Abbot Michael blessed their projects, and the children themselves in the midst of the Assumption Mass.

 

 

Magnificat illuminations and the Marian icon by Br. Benedict

The beautiful text of the blessing spoke directly to the young sacred artisans gathered for the liturgy, and we close with those words: 

Father, may your children who have provided these images of Mary know her protection and trace in their hearts the pattern of her holiness. Bless them with faith and hope, love and humility; bless them with strength and self-respect in poverty; bless them with patience in adversity and kindheartedness in times of plenty. May they search for peace, strive for justice, and realize your love, as they pursue their journey through life toward your heavenly city, where the Blessed Virgin Mary intercedes as Mother and reigns as Queen.