Monday, August 08, 2011

A Consuming Fire

Yesterday we held our annual bonfire and barbeque. The weather wasn’t too good, but we were still happy to be able to welcome many of Stronsay’s residents who didn’t mind braving the wind and rain, as well as some who came out from Kirkwall for the occasion.

This year it was Br. Seelos's father who stepped up to the mark and lit the fire.

Due to the wind which was slowly picking up, it took two attempts to get the fire going, but the flames finally took hold!

Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R. blesses the fire

Oremus
Domine Deus, Pater omnipotens, lumen indeficiens, qui es conditor omnium luminum:
novum hunc ignem sanctifica + , et praesta: ut ad te, qui es lumen indeficiens,
puris mentibus post hujus saeculi caliginem pervenire valeamus.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Let us pray.
Lord God, almighty Father, the Light that never fails and the source of all light,
sanctify + this new fire, and grant that
after the darkness of this life
we may come unsullied to Thee
Who art light eternal;
through Christ our Lord. Amen



The brothers prepare the barbeque. These were homemade burgers from our own beef.

Luckily we are able to use the end of this shed when the weather is not so pleasant.

With the fire having died down to a bearable size, folk can't resist going to stand about it despite the wet!

As the evening wore on, Br. Seelos set himself to entertaining everyone, and it was very well done.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for a very special evening. Everyone was so kind and welcoming,our grandchildren had such a lovely time, it will be an occasion they will always remember.

    Paul and I really enjoyed talking to the fathers and brothers.

    Best wishes

    Paul and Dianne Riley
    Tullimentan
    Stronsay

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  2. Wow, I really need to come up there one of these days. The bonfire sure is a great blessing. Thanks for sharing the details of this event!

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  3. Thank you all for a great evening. Those burgers were deeliciouss...!!
    As for the musical entertainment, Scott Joplin would have been impressed!!

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  4. The prayer said over the fire was very touching and uplifting. Its rising to our heavenly Father affected His children here below and gave us a greater hope.

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  5. That was a mighty bonfire! It nearly kept me warm at St. Cormac's all of the way across the wee bay!

    I had no idea that you could bless the fire. What was the prayer?

    Thank you again for having us in your lovely BIG guesthouse!! It's always so wonderful to visit with "our" monks :-)))

    God bless!

    ~Michelle Therese

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  6. Looks like a good time was had by all!

    Hope y'all didn't blown away by the winds there!

    Barb in NY

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  7. Dear Rev. Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R.
    as every year I have read about your annual bonfire and BBQ; as every year I thought I wish I could have been there sharing prayers and tradition, friendship and solidarity.
    God bless you
    A.B.

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