Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria

 

On Monday, November 12, our Brother Vitus returned to his monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Calvary in the city of Enugu, Nigeria after five years of residence at New Melleray Abbey.  In 2013 it was decided by Vitus’ superior and our superior at the time, (Fr. Brendan), that Brother Vitus and his community of 85 monks might benefit from his spending some time at New Melleray.  We have, at our monastery, a number of elderly monks who are able to share with younger monks a wealth of monastic experience.  During his time with us, Vitus worked as a frame builder at Trappist Caskets and in the community garden where he demonstrated considerable skill.  Vitus also completed a number of courses at nearby Divine Word Seminary.  In a somewhat unexpected development, Brother Vitus was saying good-bye to the community at Conventual Chapter on Sunday morning, November 11, when Father Kenneth raised his hand and proposed to the abbot that we take a community photo while Vitus was still here.  “Good idea”, the abbot replied, “We could do that right now”, at which point all the monks filed into the church while Brother Paul Andrew fetched a camera.  Father Kenneth appears to Vitus’ left in the photo.  They became friends praying the rosary together each evening for five years.  Anticipating his departure, Father Kenneth said of Vitus: “I’m going to miss him!  He was ALWAYS helping me!”

Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria

 

 

On Monday, November 12, our Brother Vitus returned to his monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Calvary in the city of Enugu, Nigeria, after five years in residence at New Melleray Abbey.  In 2013, it was decided by Brother Vitus’ superior and our superior at the time, (Fr. Brendan), that Brother Vitus and his community of 85 monks might benefit from his spending some time at New Melleray.  We have, at New Melleray, a number of elderly monks who are able to share with younger monks a wealth of monastic experience.  During his time with us, Vitus worked as a frame-builder at Trappist Caskets and in the community garden where he demonstrated considerable skill.  Vitus also completed a number of courses at nearby Divine Word Seminary.  In a somewhat unexpected development, Brother Vitus was saying good-bye to the community at Conventual Chapter on Sunday morning, November 11, when Father Kenneth raised his hand and proposed to the abbot that we take a community photograph while Vitus was still here.  “Good idea”, the abbot replied, “We could do that right now”, at which point all the monks filed into church while Brother Paul Andrew fetched a camera.  Father Kenneth appears to Vitus’ left.  The two became friends as they prayed the rosary together each evening.  Anticipating his departure, Father Kenneth said of Vitus: “I’m going to miss him!  He was ALWAYS helping me!”