Brother Michael ordained a Deacon at Nunraw

Congratulations to Brother Michael Downie OSCO* who was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Cushley at Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw (near Haddington) on Friday.

He is a fully professed Cistercian monk and is due to be ordained a priest later this year. He is originally from Holytown in Motherwell Diocese.

From left: Brother Michael is pictured with Archbishop Cushley, Fr Mark Caira, the Abott of Nunraw and members of the Cistercian community.

*OSCO: Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. They live a contemplative monastic life with a focus of celebration of the liturgy throughout the day (and night). Find out more at https://nunraw-abbey.com/

Fr Raymond, Br Thomas: rest in peace

Please keep in your prayers two members of the Cistercian community at Nunraw Abbey in Haddington who have died.

Fr Raymond Jaconelli (main pic, left) died on Friday 12 August at 5:30am. He was 90 years old, in the 69th year of his monastic profession and the 65th year of his ordination.

Fr Raymond’s funeral will be at the Abbey on Saturday 20 August at 11:00am.

Br Philip Bell also died on Friday, 12 August at 1:45am. He was 98 years old and in the 68th year of his monastic profession.

Br Philip’s funeral will be at the Abbeyon Saturday 27 August at 11:00am.

There will be a buffet in the community refectory of Nunraw Abbey after both burials.

The news comes following the death of fellow Cistercian Rev Thomas Hood. He died earlier this month at St Anne's care home in Musselburgh, aged 93.

All men were members of  the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), who are wdedicated to seeking God and following the Gospel in prayer and work. May they rest in peace.

 

Rev Thomas Hood: requiescat in pace

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rev Thomas Hood. He died on Saturday at St Anne's care home in Musselburgh. He was 93.

Fr Hood was a priest of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), who are based at Nunraw Abbey in Haddington, where he was dedicated to seeking God and following the Gospel in prayer and work. May he rest in peace.

Tributes pour in for Fr Donald McGlynn

Tributes have paid to Father Donald McGlynn OCSO, Abbot emeritus of Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, in East Lothian, who died on Thursday evening. He was 86 and had been a member of the Cistercians for over 65 years.

He was from an incredible family, with two boys and five girls all dedicating their life to Christ by becoming members of religious orders.

Archbishop Cushley said: "Dom Donald was someone of a transparent goodness, after a life spent lovingly searching for God. May he now know peace in the Lord."

Dom Donald was born in the parish of Holy Cross in Glasgow, one of seven children who all dedicated their lives to the Religious life.

His elder brother Brendan, who died in 2017, was also a Cistercian while their five sisters became Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. The Requiem Mass will be held privately for the abbey community and family members.

Tributes were made on our Facebook page from our followers, including Margaret Thomson, who wrote: "A very humble and gentle man. May he rest in peace.?"

Gill Barbour posted: "Sad for us but not for him, who will be with our Lord. Loved staying in the old guest house and sharing prayers with these lovely monks. May you rest in peace, Dom Donald...thank you for all you gave us in this world."

 

Read an interview with the late Don Donald McGlynn here.