July 16 – Remembering Fr Neil

New Melleray Abbey Church Guest Section

At New Melleray we have a tradition of gathering to share thoughts, memories, and experiences of a brother after his death. This morning we gathered to share our reflections on the life of our Fr. Neil. Sharing included stories from Fr. Neil’s life before coming to New Melleray. Several spoke of his devotion to lectio divina and the Greek New Testament. Some commented of his dedicated support of the Association of Iowa Cistercians (AICs). Many recalled his humble acceptance of trials, especially related to his stroke several years ago.

from Constitutions and Statutes: of the Monks and Nuns of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance
C. 13 – Cenobitic Life

2 The brothers are to bear their infirmities with great patience and to serve one another humbly.

C. 21 – Lectio Divina

Careful lectio divina greatly strengthens the brothers’ faith in God. This excellent monastic practice, by which God’s Word is heard and pondered, is a source of prayer and a school of contemplation, where the monk speaks heart to heart with God. For this reason, the brothers are to devote a fitting amount of time each day to such reading.