LCG NEWS! — Summer 2005

Greetings LCG members, candidates, and friends:

Michael Brown and I returned on June 8 from our journey to Clairvaux, France to attend the Third International Lay Cistercian Meeting representing all of you. It was an experience that was full of many graces, insights, silences, encounters of community, and deep prayer for all of the participants. The presence of Dom Bernardo and his interactions with us provided a sense of paternal warmness and reassurance that the Spirit who is leading us is gently forming us as lay Cistercians, in spite of our human frailties and doubts.

Following our return from the meeting at Clairvaux, we have needed to spend time in silence to reflect deeply on our experiences. We will share our experiences and insights that we gained in more detail with everyone in the weeks and months ahead. We agree that we feel a sense of both personal and communal gratitude for where the Spirit has lead us in our journey over the years to this time and place in our evolution as "Lay Cistercians." The monastic community of Gethsemani has shared this journey with us. We are sincerely grateful for the space, support, and blessings that we have received from Gethsemani, especially from Fr. Michael, Bro Paul, and Fr. Damien with whom we have been in dialogue.

Michael and I encourage LCG members and communities to grow and to develop depth in community. The importance of community was the primary focus of the meeting in Clairvaux. The events of the meeting and the experiences of visiting the site of the Abbey of Clairvaux (closed) and the Abbey of Citeaux had a profound impact on providing clarity of whom we are as lay Cistercians and our role in nurturing the Cistercian spirit in our lives and within our local faith/church communities.

On the third day of the Lay Cistercian Meeting in Clairvaux, we were all saddened to hear of the passing of Fr. M. Basil Pennington who died on June 3, the feast of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Basil was supportive of the lay Cistercian movement and through many of his books assists us with becoming familiar with the Cistercian heritage and spirituality. May he rest in the Lord’s peace!

Again, we are grateful for all the financial support that we have received making it possible to participate in the International Lay Cistercian Meeting. Visit the LCG website to access additional information about Clairvaux 2005. You will find links to homilies, presentations, reflections, and a photo gallery of the event.


Peace and blessings to all! Mike Johnson

Third International Lay Cistercian Meeting at Clairvaux

There were approximately 120 participants of the Lay Cistercian meeting held from June 1-7 near the Abbey of Clairvaux. Twenty Cistercian monks and nuns were present, including Dom Bernardo Olivera, abbot general, and Fr. Olivier Quenardel, the abbot of Citeaux. The members of the French lay Cistercian community, La Grange de St. Bernard of Clairvaux, served as host of this year’s gathering. An international team of five lay Cistercians was elected who will be the official voice of lay Cistercians. Detailed information about the Clairvaux meeting, including homilies, presentations, reflections, etc., can be accessed on both the new International Lay Cistercian website at www.cistercianfamily.org. Please CLICK HERE for the same information on this site.

Monastic Retreat for Laypersons, October 2005

The Cistercian monks of New Melleray Abbey, south of Dubuque, Iowa are planning a weeklong retreat for lay persons October 24th through 28th. Entitled “Contemplative Living in a Busy World” the retreat will focus on how to make prayer a nurturing part of one’s lifestyle, and will explore how the monastic value of simplicity can make a difference in the lives of non-monastic people as well. In addition to listening to talks and discussions by monks, participants will have the opportunity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and attend Mass each day in the monks’ beautiful Abbey church. Cost is $285.00, which includes four nights lodging, all meals, and participation materials and handouts. To register contact Fr. Tom MacMaster at New Melleray Abbey (563) 588-2319, or visit New Melleray’s website at newmelleray.org.

New Mentoring Guidelines Implemented

Thank you to LCG member, Bob Siegel of Midland, Michigan, and others of the LCG community in Midland, who prepared the resource binders for LCG mentors. The binders contain the recently developed mentoring guidelines and other resources, such as, the Exordium and a LCG reading list, for those who will mentor candidates for membership in LCG. In June 2005 we began assigning mentors to those who began their one year period of discernment and formation to become Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani. If you are interested in serving as a LCG mentor, please contact us at LCG503@aol.com. Bob Siegel is the mentor coordinator.

LCG Website Continues to Add Resource Information

The LCG website will continue to be updated with resource material that is helpful for LCG members and useful for ongoing formation. Our quarterly newsletter, LCG News, will be posted on the site and archived. The password protected page, MEMBERS ONLY, is not ready yet. You will be informed via e-mail when the page is available and given instructions for its use.