As Dom Richard, our new abbot, was previously abbot of Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea he had already received the Abbatial Blessing in 2009 so on Saturday 4 November Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, celebrated the 'Mass to Invoke God's Blessing on the New Abbot and his Abbatial Ministry' at Mount Melleray Abbey.
Bishop Cullinan was joined by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly of Cashel and Emly, Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe, Bishop William Lee, emeritus bishop of Waterford and Lismore and Bishop William Walsh, emeritus bishop of Killaloe. The Mount Melleray Community was also delighted to welcome monks and nuns from the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries of Ireland, Britain and Norway, and in particular the new Father Immediate of Mount Melleray, Dom André Barbeau, Abbot of Val Notre Dame in Canada. Also present were representatives of the religious orders and congregations of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, representatives from the Church of Ireland, civic and state representatives, Dom Richard’s family and friends, and the staff, friends and associates of the monastery.
It was a memorable occasion for the community and all those associated with Mount Melleray Abbey. The photos taken by Oisin McHugh and Tom Keith capture the atmosphere of the day.
