LITURGY
 

The monastic community is pleased to be able to welcome Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence to the Blessing of the Abbot on Saturday, May 7, 2022. For our monthly exploration of topics in Liturgy, we look at some of the elements of a Blessing of an Abbot.

Cover of the “Ceremonial”

Within a day of Abbot Michael’s election on January 17, plans were already in the works for his official installation. In consultation with the office of The Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence, it has been decided that the special Mass will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7.  

The “Blessing of an Abbot” is a noteworthy and distinct liturgical event, and its rubrics are set forth in the book, Ceremonial of Bishops (The Liturgical Press, 1989). The Ceremonial does not contain full liturgical rites, but instead outlines the special rubrics for Masses and other liturgical celebrations involving a bishop. These include his presence at the sacraments, on special feast days, for a variety of blessings, and for a full range of non-sacramental liturgies. The Ceremonial notes that the Blessing of an Abbot allows the bishop to have “a part in one of the high points of monastic life.”  The introduction to this section of the Ceremonial underscores the symbiotic relationship between a monastery and its diocese:  

“The blessing of an abbot is usually celebrated by the bishop of the place where the monastery is situated. In this way the bishop has a part in one of the high points of monastic life. By example, work, and prayer, monasteries should contribute solid support to the life of the particular Church; correspondingly, the bishop should regard the monasteries of his diocese as an important part of his pastoral office, even though he must not interfere in their internal government.” (Paragraph 668) 

Blessing of Abbot Matthew Stark, 1st Abbot of Portsmouth l. to r.: Abbot Gerard Victor Farwell OP, 1^st Abbot of Worth; Abbot Alban Boultwood OSB. St. Anselm’s Abbey, D.C.; Abbot Matthew, Fr. Leo Van Winkle; Bishop Russell Joseph McVinney; 5th Bishop of Providence; Rev. Msgr. Kenneth Anthony Angell (later 8^th Bishop of Burlington, Vermont); Rev. Msgr. William Varsanyi (photo from 1970 School Yearbook)

The section then goes on to highlight a number of elements to be present in the Blessing, including which vestments, additional elements such as the ring, miter, and pastoral staff, the order of the procession, and more. The Ceremonial outlines the different moments leading up to and following the actual moment of blessing. The Description of the Rite places it largely in the context of the Liturgy of the Word, and calls for an interrogation of the abbot-elect that resembles those found in such liturgies as Ordination, Baptism, Confirmation, or Profession of Solemn Vows. It then states: “After the questioning, the bishop says, May the Lord strengthen your resolve,’ and all reply, Amen.” (Paragraph 684) Fr. Nathan J. Ricci, Vice Chancellor and Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, will coordinate plans for this liturgy with the monastic community. In preliminary correspondence with Brother Sixtus Roslevich, the abbey’s Master of Ceremonies, Fr. Ricci addressed this unique opportunity of collegial cooperation which will necessitate the many “liturgical details for an abbatial blessing – of which there are many.”  

Bishop Tobin at School Confirmation Mass

In the past two years, Portsmouth Abbey has sought to strengthen its ties to the Diocese of Providence, in particular through its growing relationship with the Office for Religious headed by Sister Elizabeth Castro HMSP. In fact, Sr. Elizabeth facilitated a community discussion among the monks on December 29 in anticipation of the abbatial election. The purpose of the meeting was for the members of the community to come to some agreement on their priorities for the future, all of which will provide vital insight for the new abbot. With the election of Michael Brunner as abbot, we look forward to this important liturgical event to celebrate his tenure, and to deepen in prayer our connection to the diocese. We are grateful to Bishop Tobin for his willingness to join us personally to share this fellowship.