Memories from the Past – Late April, Early May 2024, Alexian General Chapter

The Michaelsberg Abbey in Germany, which hosted the General Chapter of the Alexian Brothers, is a nearly thousand-year-old (1064) Benedictine foundation that was taken over by the Carmelites in the 2000s. The building was destroyed during World War II, so in its current form it can be considered almost “new.” The complex, which includes St. Michael’s Church, specializes in hospitality and hosting conferences; it welcomes visitors with several chapels, guest rooms, a restaurant, other communal spaces, a vast cloister, and an inner courtyard. We have selected photos taken here.

This week, Brother Dermot visited the Alexian community in Hungary. The photo was taken with Brother Leó in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernadette, erected in 2014 next to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Győr. The creator of the sculpture group is Tibor Rieger, a Kossuth Prize-winning sculptor, who also created Hungary’s only outdoor statue of Saint Alexius, located in the inner courtyard of our Alexian monastery in Győrújbarát.

A prayer for vocations to the Alexian communities around the world.

Our Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the past week and ask for your blessing on the week ahead. Give us strength and perseverance to carry out our tasks, wisdom in our decisions, and patience in our difficulties. Help us to treat everyone with love and understanding. And as we approach 1 May, we especially ask for your intercession through Saint Joseph, patron saint of workers, to bless our ministry and help us to work with dignity and devotion.

Protect us from all harm and guide us in your light.

Amen.

Prayer card used by the Irish Alexian Brothers.

Saint Alexius, late 15th century, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Belgium.