Farewell to the Monks of Mount Melleray Abbey

Over a thousand friends and visitors of Mount Melleray Abbey flocked to attend a Thanksgiving Mass on January 25th, to say goodbye to the monks as they prepared for their departure to Roscrea.

The Thanksgiving Mass, celebrated by Dom Eamon, former Abbot of Mt Melleray and Abbot General of the Cistercian Order, was concelebrated by other members of the Community together with local clergy. Dom Richard gave the homily while Bishop Phonsie of the diocese of Waterford and Lismore and Fr Donal, administrator of the Community, also addressed the congregation. Dean Paul Draper of Lismore Cathedral was in attendance and the celebration was beautifully accompanied by the Mt Melleray choir in full voice.

Ten sisters from Glencairn attended, conscious of their debt of gratitude to the Community that were responsible for initiating and facilitating the foundation of St Mary’s Abbey in 1932.

One sister who attended the Mass wrote the following:

‘With pain and sadness, yet bathed in hope, we bade farewell to our brothers of Mt Melleray as they embarked on a journey of deep faith.

On January 25th, they departed for Roscrea where they were to gather with the monks of Mellifont Abbey and Mount St Joseph Abbey to form the opening chapters of a new Community which will be known as ‘The Monastery of Our Lady of Silence.’

We at Glencairn are now filled with hope for the future of Cistercian life for men in Ireland. The free and courageous choice of our brethren to follow God’s love in the present-day reality, will not be without its challenges and setbacks but one thing is certain: God will not be defeated.’