Thursday, August 02, 2012

A Foggy Feast

I personally really like it when it is foggy on Papa Stronsay.  There is a real feeling of peace and of monastic isolation.  Therefore I was not at all upset when I left my cell this morning to find that on the feast of Our Holy Father Saint Alphonsus, he had sent us some fog for the occasion!  While it was not so bad this morning, as I write this we are completely cut of visually even from the neighbouring island of Stronsay...I can barely even see the sea!  Here are some photos of our crossing to Stronsay this morning for sung Mass.


Making the crossing from Papa Stronsay to Stronsay for Mass.

The Stronsay village of Whitehall where our chapel is. 

 Arrived at the Stronsay pier. The Brothers ascend the pier steps.

Looking back towards Papa Stronsay, which risks being swallowed up by the mist. 

"The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?... 

...And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?" 1 Cor 10:16 

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5

Papa Stronsay as it looks while I write this post.  The Fog has really come in. 

Standing almost on the water's edge you can only just make out the pier with our boat. 

And out towards nearby Stronsay...nothing.

Lovely
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3 comments:

  1. A fellow travellerSaturday, August 04, 2012

    Reminds me of the words of St James (4:14)"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" - didn't you have still, sunny weather at the beginning of the week? I suppose you can't enjoy the sun in those long black clothes! Must ask our Lord and our Lady to let you wear shorts and tee-shirts sometimes. I'm sure Mary is a practical person who knows that you need sun on your skin to make vitamin D...God bless you all!

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  2. SupertradmumSaturday, August 04, 2012

    I grew up on the Mighty Mississippi River. http://www.rtbot.net/upper_mississippi_riverFog happened frequently.

    And, in the many areas of the tributaries, such as the Wasipinicon River, fog is a given in the Autumn and in January and February. Can you imagine a tributary 300 miles long? I know these areas like the back of my hand.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/42977075@N02/3965005020/in/photostream/

    I love fog. It always made me feel like Mary was wrapping her great mantle of peace and innocence over us all. Have a great day.
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/american-eagle/the-upper-mississippi-river-valley/4203/

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  3. Michelle ThereseWednesday, August 15, 2012

    I really enjoyed that week of heavy thick fog. I find it beautiful and very peaceful. But look, we have more haar today! :-)

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