Bishop Drainey's homily and Order of Service for 26 June 2008

BLESSING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE

OPENING HYMN
Come, Creator Spirit

Bishop:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Bishop:
May the grace and peace of God our Father, the source of all blessings, be with you all.
All : And also with you.

Abbess:
We have come today to an important moment in the building of this new monastery for the glory of God. Let us thank him for guiding us through the work already done, and ask his blessing for what lies ahead, both on the work of the building and on the lives that will be lived here.

Bishop:
A psalm reminds us: If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labour, and the Rule of St Benedict advises ‘Whenever you undertake any good work, ask God most earnestly to bring it to perfection.’ God has called us to be his co-workers in building up his Church on earth, so let us now pray for his help. May he bring the construction of this new monastery to completion, and keep safe from injury all who work on it.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

1 Peter 2:4-10
Ps 117 R. The stone which the builder reject has become the corner stone
Luke 6:47-49 (read by Abbot President)
Homily by the Bishop

INTERCESSIONS

Bishop:
Brethren, let us ask God, our all-powerful Father, that the work we begin today will contribute to the building up of his kingdom and join us in faith and love to Christ, who is the cornerstone.
All: Blessed be God for ever.

Abbot Cuthbert:
Through your Son you have chosen to build your Church upon solid rock.
All : Bless and watch over this house, O Lord.

D Maria:
That he may transform into a living temple of his glory all whom he has gathered here and all who look upon Christ as the cornerstone of their faith, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Bless and watch over this house, O Lord.

Rev Ian Kitchen
That God in his power may overcome the division and sin which separate his people so that they may ultimately worship as one, let us pray to the Lord.
All : Bless and watch over this house, O Lord.

D Anna:
For all our friends and benefactors who by their support and generosity have made it possible for us to build this monastery, let us pray to the Lord.
All : Bless and watch over this house, O Lord.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

With hands outstretched, the bishop prays:
All-powerful and all-merciful Father,
you have created all things through your Son
and have made him the unshakeable foundation of your kingdom.
Through the gift of your eternal wisdom,
grant that the undertaking we begin today
for your glory and our own well-being
may progress day by day to its successful completion.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

The bishop then sprinkles the foundation stone with holy water.

Bishop:
Let us join the voice of the Church with that of Christ in praying to the Father using the words which the Son has given us. And so, with, one voice, let us pray:
All: Our Father…..

Bishop:
Let us pray:
God of love,
we praise your holy name
for you have made us your temple by baptism
and inspire us to build on earth
places dedicated to your worship.
Look favourably (upon your children or upon us)
who have come with joy
to dedicate the foundation stone of this new monastery.
Enable them to grow into the temple of your glory,
Until, shaped anew by your grace,
They are gathered by your hand into your heavenly city.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Bishop: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.

Bishop: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

Bishop: Go in the peace of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.

All sing the simple ‘Salve Regina’.


The foundation stone is then taken up the hill, accompanied by those designated, to be put into the wall of the new monastery.