On November 30, the students, faculty, and staff of Wyoming Catholic College enjoyed the privilege of hosting a visit from two of the monks of the monastery of Norcia, Fr. Benedict Nivakoff, the Prior, and Fr. Martin Bernhard. The monks, together with college chaplain Fr. Robert Frederick, celebrated a Solemn High Mass for the Feast of St. Andrew. The student Schola chanted the Propers and the student Choir sang Hassler's Missa Dixit Maria, Verdelot's "Sit Nomen Domini," Byrd's "Ave verum Corpus," and Tye's "Laudate Nomen Domini."
Fr. Martin preached a rousing homily on how the words of Our Lord calling St. Andrew to drop everything and follow Him were not just spoken 2,000 years ago, but are spoken to us every time this Gospel is proclaimed in the liturgical action. Our Lord is calling young men and women in this very church to follow Him in a life of radical dedication, even a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience for the Kingdom of heaven.
Later in the afternoon, the monks led second Vespers for the feast, and met with men at the College who are discerning religious life.
We were delighted to have Fr. Benedict and Fr. Martin on campus (it was the third time monks of Norcia have come!) and we hope to welcome them or any of their confreres back again whenever they are next traveling anywhere near the Cowboy State.
Fr. Martin preached a rousing homily on how the words of Our Lord calling St. Andrew to drop everything and follow Him were not just spoken 2,000 years ago, but are spoken to us every time this Gospel is proclaimed in the liturgical action. Our Lord is calling young men and women in this very church to follow Him in a life of radical dedication, even a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience for the Kingdom of heaven.
Later in the afternoon, the monks led second Vespers for the feast, and met with men at the College who are discerning religious life.
We were delighted to have Fr. Benedict and Fr. Martin on campus (it was the third time monks of Norcia have come!) and we hope to welcome them or any of their confreres back again whenever they are next traveling anywhere near the Cowboy State.
