Sung Vespers
August 24, 2008
Sunday after the second day of pilgrimage was a day at home. La Neyliere continued to be a hive of activity with well over 100 here. was a hive of activity, so much so that room in the main building where we eat has been taken over by a new group, the Apostles of Peace. They are an international semi-charismatic community with some members coming from as far away as Africa for their annual gathering at La Neyliere. The charism of the community is essentially peace and they express it through singing “internally” and in liturgical settings. Periods of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and reflective recitation of the Rosary are key components of their spirituality. As well as singing and prayer, community members are strongly encouraged to be involved in some form of peace-themed social outreach.
With so many here today there was a choice of Mass times, a 9am with the Disciples of Peace or the usual 11am with the local people. There is a church at Pomeys about 1km up the road, however it’s holiday time and the regularity, spirituality and convenience of the La Neyliere Mass means a good number of the local community come to Mass here. Whereas the Apostles of Peace Mass was all in French and some “broke into tongues” after communion, Bernd Kordes was sensitive to the international flavour of the regular community mass and used a diagram to help express the concept he conveyed in homily.
Before they go home, it is customary for the local people to join with the Marist community for an aperitif after the 11am Mass, normally around midday and today was no exception. Thankfully some among the visiting congregation spoke English which made it a little easier.
Dinner followed and the vine-ordinaire was replaced by a Cotes du Rhone, a nice touch to accompany the spicy sausage main meat dish.
After lunch, Alois Grollier, (Rome) Christof Kochmann (German Marist seminarian) and Thilo Saft (soon to be German Novice in the Philippines) arrived. Actually they arrived late last night, but left again early in the morning for Chartreuse, so after lunch was the first time we saw them. Alois is here to provide some Marist history input and will deliver 5 lectures in 1 1/2 days. He, Christof and Thilo will also accompany us as we travel this week to Fourviere, Belley and Cerdon.
Edwin McCallion, Charlie Randle, Bernado Petero, Marcel Ma'ah and Matt Morris at "Sung Vespers".
Some may have embarked on a Sunday afternoon walk, however looking at us as we arrived Alois’ Sunday afternoon lecture, suggests most perhaps didn’t.
In the area where Bernd Kordes comes from “Vespers” means a cup of tea. On Sunday night it is the tradition of the La Neyliere community to have “sung” vespers, something that all the renewal group participated in with enthusiasm. The end of a somewhat quiet but pleasant day.
P.S. With that written the locals down at St Symphorien decided to have the last say with an impressive fireworks display. Not sure why, perhaps it might have been to mark the feat of St which took place during the week, on August 22.
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