Camaldolese Hermits of America Camaldolese Tidings
New Camaldoli Hermitage • Big Sur, California • Volume 17 • Issue 4 • Winter 2011
New Camaldoli Madonna
New Camaldoli Hermitage was founded in 1958
under the protection of
the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. This Madonna was
created for the Hermitage
by noted artist and good
friend of the community,
Leo Neufeld. His image
highlights Mary and her Immaculate Heart, and places
her in the context of the
Hermitage and the Big Sur
coast where we live. Painted in a modern iconesque
style, it portrays Mary contemplatively inviting us into
her heart and thus into the
heart of God.
Prints and cards are available from our gift shop and
also online at:
www.hermitagebigsur.com.
2 ~ Camaldolese Tidings
Prior Knowledge – Father Raniero
Annual Appeal – 2011
Throughout the 53 years of our being
a Camaldolese presence in America, we
have always depended upon the encouragement, the prayer and the financial
support of our friends and donors. We
value the opportunity that is ours to be a
source of contemplative spirituality in our
church, our society and our culture – especially now, in these difficult and challenging times.
I invite you to read and consider the article, included in this newsletter, which
gives an overview of our recent General
Chapter. The Chapter addressed the importance of the Camaldolese presence,
today and tomorrow.
Every year, at this particular time of
year, we have our Annual Appeal asking you to consider a donation to help us
meet the expenses of our ongoing operations and maintenance. This includes our
hospitality/retreat ministry, which is an
experience treasured by many. Along with
our daily operational costs, we hope this
year to replace the third of our five hermitages for retreatants, and to finish the
repaving of our entrance road, the road to
our retreat house and hermitage, and the
various parking areas. We would also like
to continue the upgrading of our website
www.contemplation.com; our electronic
newsletter: E-CONTEMPLATION, and
our e-commerce site, www.bigsurhermitage.com.
I am so very grateful to Brother Bede,
our community treasurer, who courageously and attentively facilitates and
weighs the various dimensions, needs and
requests that comprise the economic functioning of the hermitage. Also, I so appreciate the help of Joie Milton, our bookkeeper; Bob Allen and Mary Kay Swenson, our Development consultants; Alicia
The monastic community received Martin
Tully as a postulant on
the eve of All Saints.
Martin is from England, and is a social
worker. He has visited
us a number of times
over the years, and
after a long wait for his
visa to be approved,
he came back to the
hermitage on September 30th. A smiling
presence here at the
Hermitage, he is adjusting to life
“across the pond” as the British
say, including learning to drive
on the other side of the road! We
celebrate his arrival and God’s
goodness to us. Please keep
him in your prayers.
Left: Vocation Director Fr. Daniel,
Postulant Martin, and Novice
Charbel.
Atherton, our Development Officer; and
the various financial advisors and auditors
who assist us.
Without you, none of the above could
happen, nor could we exist. Perhaps never
is there a “GOOD TIME” or a “RIGHT
TIME” to ask for a donation. Nonetheless, I am asking. We, monks, are asking.
Please consider our Annual Appeal. May
God bless us in our asking! May God bless
you in your giving! And always be assured
of our prayer and our gratitude.
Peace,
Raniero
Camaldolese Tidings is published by the
Camaldolese Hermits of America for our
friends, oblates, and sponsors.
Publisher
Father Raniero Hoffman, OSB Cam.
Editor
Brother Bede Healey, OSB Cam.
Development Directors
Robert J. Allen
Mary Kay Swenson
Public Relations & Design
Susan Garrison
If you have questions or comments about
this publication, please address them to:
New Camaldoli Hermitage
62475 Coast Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2456 • Fax: (831) 667-0209
E-mail: [email protected]
or visit us on the web at:
www.contemplation.com
Camaldolese Tidings ~ 3
Camaldolese Communications
Dear Friends,
issue by Raniero.
These have been exciting times for us. This was an important gathering. The
Martin Tully, our vocational candidate agenda included the election of a new
from England, was finally able to receive Prior General (equivalent to an Abbot
his visa; he is now with us as Postulant President with the other Benedictine conand already fitting in splendidly. And gregations), as well as his General CounCharbel, our Novice, is also doing well cil. Fr. Bernardino, our former wonand contributing much: they make a “dy- derful Prior General, had decided not to
namic duo” for our community
be available for another term,
and formation group.
We were
so we elected as our new Prior
graced with a wonderful comGeneral
Fr. Alessandro Barmunity retreat offered by Proban, a younger man who has
fessor Douglas Burton-Chrisbeen a very dynamic Prior (=
tie, of Loyola-Marymount
Abbot) of our ancient HermitUniversity; this included rich
age of Fonte Avellana. Before
conferences on the early desert
that he studied at the internafathers and mothers and how
tional Benedictine College of
their amazing spirituality can
Sant’Anselmo,
earned a docnourish us today.
torate, and taught
Then the Gentheology there. He
eral Chapter of the
was also on Fr. Berwhole Congreganardino’s General
tion, celebrated evCouncil for years,
ery 6th year, was
visiting
virtually
held at the masall of our houses,
sive Monastery of
so he comes with
Camaldoli
from
extensive experiSeptember 20th to
ence and learning,
October 9th. We
and much energy.
of New Camaldoli
Fr. Joseph Wong,
sent our delegation General Chapter Photos:
whom many of you
of Raniero, as Pri- Top: Fr. Andreas from Tanzania;
know, was elected
or, and three rep- Above: Fr. Alessandro, the new Prior Genfirst member of
resentatives, Bede, eral; Fr. Benardino, the former Prior General; the new General
Daniel and me (the and Br. Ivan, former 1st Councillor.
Council, along with
number of deleGiuseppe Cichi, a
gates
depends on the size of the communi- medical doctor and Master of Formaty). Andrew also went as prior of Incarna- tion at Camaldoli, as second member,
tion, so we had an American delegation of and Mario Zanotti, a younger monk who
5 monks. Some of our Oblates, including has been very helpful to the foundation in
Kay Gilles, participated in the first ‘open’ Tanzania, as third member. Fr. Mario will
portion of the Chapter, together with be the contact monk between the General
Camaldolese nuns from various commu- Council and New Camaldoli and Incarnanities. Then the ‘canonical chapter’ began, tion Monastery, so many of you might
with the official delegations participating well come to meet him during his visfrom each of our monastic communities, its. He has visited us before, and is very
including four of our Italian houses, our warm, as well as very intelligent, havtwo American houses, and our houses in ing earned his doctorate in philosophy/
Brazil, India and Africa. An amazingly in- psychology.
ternational group of monks from five difSpeaking of changes, Raniero has chosen
ferent continental areas representing the not to continue his mandate as Prior of
extended presence of our little congrega- New Camaldoli after January 20, so there
tion. See the accompanying article in this will be an election for a new Prior. After
Raniero presented his ‘state of the Hermitage’ address to the General Chapter, I
noted how wonderfully he has ministered
to us as a Prior of communion, of fraternity,
helping us at New Camaldoli to work
ever more to real monastic
fellowship. He
has deepened the communion between
our hermitage and the Incarnation Monastery community in Berkeley. He has
also enriched the mutual understanding
between us and our other communities
in Italy and India and beyond through his
participation in our international chapters
and formation team gatherings. In addition to these important contributions, he
has witnessed continually, in his homilies and conferences, and especially in
his lived example, to the heart of our
life –prayer, and has given the Indwelling
of the Holy Trinity in our hearts and the
hearts of all: prayer at Eucharist, at the Divine Office, in the silence of our monastic
cells, and throughout the day whenever,
wherever. As a man of real communion
and prayer, Raniero has constantly reminded us of our ‘Primacy of Love’ – of
God and neighbor.
Next year is the 1,000th anniversary of
our mother house, the Sacred Hermitage
in Tuscany. This is an amazing and historic anniversary. We are planning a pilgrimage to our houses of San Gregorio, Rome,
the monastery of Camaldoli and especially the Sacred Hermitage. We will be
at the Sacro Eremo for the solemnity of St
Romuald, June 19th. Please pray for this
pilgrimage and for the Camaldoli brethren
as they celebrate their 1000 years.
Please use the
enclosed envelope
for your prayer requests.
4 ~ Camaldolese Tidings
The Camaldolese General Assembly and General Chapter
Emphasize Interiority and Authenticity
The Camaldolese General Assembly and General Chapter,
2011, which had as its theme, Camaldolese Monks and Nuns
– Today and Tomorrow, was a call to Interiority – a time to
re-discover our inner depth, our inner centeredness, our inner
groundedness. Words like authenticity, depth, and inner life were
echoing throughout the many conferences and exchanges stirring an energy that is always within us, and calling us to emerge
anew with vitality – a vitality that transforms us and others.
The General Assembly was celebrated September 20 through
23, and was open to every Camaldolese monk, nun and oblate.
Kay Gilles and Father Michael Misfud (from Australia) were
two oblates from our New Camaldoli/Incarnation and Australia/
New Zealand oblate program who participated. Father Bernardino Cozzarini, OSB Cam – the Prior General gave the opening
address in which he called the assembly and the entire congregation to have hope in the midst of the difficult times that permeate our congregation, our Church, our world. He encouraged
us to realize that hope implies suffering, a suffering that is the
result of not yet being able to see the answers. In this suffering
and waiting, the contemplative life is a school of faith and hope,
comprised of students who believe and have hope – so needed
in our time. Father Bernardino encouraged us to re-discover the
truth and the value of our communities.
During the following two days we listened to two conferences after which we entered into a dialog with the respective presenters. The first conference was given by Dom Armando Matteo – theologian, professor and diocesan priest – on the theme
The Hard Work of Being Gospel at the Threshold of the Ages.
The second conference was given by Sister Antoinette Potente,
O.P. – theologian, professor and Dominican nun – on the theme
The Invitation to the Journey – a return home for the religious
life. The presenters were complementary to each other in the
context of their conferences. What follows is a collection of concepts, images and statements taken from the two presentations
that capture the message of their conferences.
The Hard Work of Being Gospel at the Threshold of the Ages:
╬ Faith is not just a life of commandments to be followed
but an intimate association with life and within the flow
of life involving a resistance and a surrender.
╬ Christianity is not a museum, nor a body of rules, laws,
rituals, etc.
╬ The magnetic strength of Jesus which reconciles the
many aspects of life needs to be rediscovered. Jesus is
the door to life.
╬ In order to bless the unknown that is before us and that
is yet to come forth out of the present difficult times, we
need to deepen the authenticity of our life and prayer.
We need to deepen our realization and experience of
the living presence of God in our spirit – like Mary and
Elizabeth at their Visitation with each other. We don’t
have to invent something new!
The Invitation to the Journey – a return home for the religious
life:
╬ The meaning of religion for life/religious life is a passion for life (religious life is both for the laity
and for those who are ordained or who are
in vows to the Church and/or congregation).
╬ The language of interiority invites us to
move from within ourselves. Interiority is a
passion, a search that moves us. It is the energy of life.
╬ The language of interiority begins within us, and then moves outwards in the search
for human life and survival – a search for
food, water, health, dignity, etc.,…indeed a
passion for life! The search for human life
and the search for spiritual life is one search,
one life.
╬ Religion for life/Religious life/Interiority is not institutional. It is not something
that others tell us about. It is deeply within
us.
╬ Religion for life/Religious life is a trip,
a journey, a movement that participates in a
re-birth of humanity which desires maturity.
Delegates during the Assembly
Camaldolese Tidings ~ 5
╬ Humanity today is in a time when doors are only half
opened – we cannot clearly see – there is much unknown
that is before us!
╬ It all starts with Interiority – the home within – a search
for equilibrium, order, balance, gravity.
╬ Interiority – entering within ourselves – is entering a
mystery! It is difficult because within us we encounter
many aspects of ourselves, of other traditions, other disciplines, interreligious dialogue, etc…It is a place of fertile ground. It asks us to accept ourselves, to accept our
mistakes, to accept others. Interiority does not separate
us, rather it brings us together.
╬ Interiority is not an escape but a living with the other –
the mystical dimension of life.
╬ The monastery/hermitage is a place of interiority. It
can’t be localized or narrow. It is a journey that leads
us further.
╬ Inwardness is the beautiful place of contemplation,
where life is flexible – not limited or narrow.
╬ Religion for life/Religious life calls us as mystics – to
discover the dignity of human life – to stay at the threshold where the mystery is – it is always unknown! There
we must wait and adore and love God, Whom we can
only experience and Whom we can never fully understand!
╬ God is our astonishment! The One Who reveals that
there is always something MORE!
The final day of the General Assembly consisted of a meeting with Camaldolese monks and nuns. Mother Michela Porcellato, OSB Cam, abbess of the Camaldolese Monastery in Rome,
addressed the assembly about the efforts that she and the nuns
are making to establish a Congregation of Camaldolese nuns
recognized by the Holy See. Presently all the monasteries of
Camaldolese nuns are under the jurisdiction of the bishop in
whose diocese the particular monastery is located. The establishment of a Congregation of Camaldolese nuns by the Holy
See would give the nuns a greater unity – under the abbess – and
make them autonomous. It would also enhance the unity between
Camaldolese monks and nuns. During the meeting specific suggestions and recommendations were offered and discussed by
the monks and nuns to deepen the bond that already exists between them.
The following two weeks, September 26 through October
9, marked the occasion of the General Chapter – a canonical/
ecclesiastical gathering of delegates (ex-officio and elected) with
the Prior General and his council to examine the status of the
congregation and each of its monasteries and hermitages.
During the General Chapter – celebrated every six years –
the Prior General is either confirmed in his role for another term
or a new Prior General is elected. Dom Bernardino Cozzarini, the
Prior General for the last six years, announced his desire not to
be available for another term. Dom Allesandro Barban, the Prior
of the Hermitage in Fonte Avellana was elected the next Prior
General for six years. The delegation from New Camaldoli and
Incarnation Monastery participating in the General Chapter were
Father Raniero, Father Andrew, Father Robert, Brother Bede
and Father Daniel. The General Chapter began with an opening
address from the outgoing Prior General, Dom Bernardino, in
which he re-affirmed, even more boldly, his address at the beginning of the General Assembly. He encouraged us to renew our
enthusiasm and motivation for being Camaldolese monks, realizing that time passes by, but life transforms us! Again he called
us both to acknowledge the aging of the members of our communities and the decrease in vocations AND not to fear. While fear
is a basic human emotion and response, he urged us to realize
that monastic life must change because deep within us is a hope
for something new and more to emerge. He suggested that we
enhance and develop our Camaldolese spirituality both individually and communally:
╬ Individually
o That there be daily Lectio Divina
o That the desire for silence be discovered again
and again
o That solitude, both as a physical, geographical
experience and as a quality of one’s being, be
cultivated with the fruits of transformation
╬ Communally
o That our communities be experiences of brotherly communion and conviviality, which give
both encouragement and energy to its members,
and meaningful, magnetic witness to new candidates
Then the General Chapter moved into many days of hard,
long, intense work – reviewing each community, its strengths
and weaknesses, and then offering possibilities for development
and change. Larger congregational concerns, issues, and problems were then examined and discussed. The economic status of
the congregation and of each community was reviewed with the
assistance of a professional financial advisor. The major issue
of formation for new members and for the ongoing formation
of all solemnly professed monks was reviewed at great length.
Utilizing these discussions, the delegates for each community
developed a series of deliberations (acknowledgements to be
expressed and suggestions to be implemented) for their community. These deliberations were then presented for a review by and
for the vote of the entire General Chapter members.
The General Chapter ended with the encouragement and
blessing of Dom Alessandro – our newly elected Prior General
– who sent us back to our communities asking us to live our relationships with each other with fraternity and respect, as we had
done throughout our days and work together during the General
Chapter. He expressed his satisfaction with the work that we accomplished; and he humbly acknowledged the trust that we had
given him through the election.
A grace-filled Eucharist followed. AND, as we were in Italy!
A festive Banquet was enjoyed!! Alleluia!
Grazie a Dio! Per tutti!
6 ~ Camaldolese Tidings
Stay Awake
As we look to a new
year (Advent) we are
given a renewed gift of
Hope, but we are reinforced with the stability
shown us by the monks
and the Hermitage.
By Robert J. Allen
As we begin a new Church year
on the first Sunday of Advent, we are
told in St. Mark’s Gospel that Jesus
said to his disciples, “Be on guard,
stay awake.” This is a warning, not
about death, but about life. Our life is
filled with great and wonderful events
and daily rewards so great that only a
God who created them can imagine. Be
awake to how God is calling you to be
the person you can be, to be that person who embraces the good and abhors
evil.
We are so dependent on the God
who created us, who sent out His only
Son, Jesus Christ, into the world, which
is the only reason we can be saved. Most
of us are so blind and so comfortable in
our “insecurity” that we are asleep in selfpity. This is not what Christ has in mind
for each of us. He came to give Himself
away, and each day, in the sacrifice of
each Mass, He gives Himself TOTALLY
to each of us. This is what we are called
to be awake for – to experience the true
Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Now You Can Book Online!
Beginning early in December, now
you can reserve your retreat at New
Camaldoli from home – from anywhere – using the Internet. Click
the Retreats menu on our website,
www.contemplation.com.
How to get started:
Go to our website, www.contemplation.com. Begin with the “Retreats” menu near the top, and click
“Book Online Now,” then click one of the online reservation links.
Using the pop-up calendars, choose the dates you want to arrive and depart.
Select the type of unit, or select “All” to display all available units for the
chosen dates.
Click “Search” for Availability and Pricing.
To choose from the units displayed, click “Select.” Then fill in your contact
information, make a deposit, and receive a confirmation right away.
For more details, please see our website. As always, we are available by
phone to assist you in reserving a retreat. Call 831-667-2456, Ext. 100, from
8 - 11 a.m. and 1:15 - 5 p.m. every day.
There is nothing you shall want that
is not transferred through the Eucharist.
How can we be worthy to receive Jesus
in the Eucharist? Because we are heirs
of the Kingdom of God, we are baptized into this order of Priest, Prophet
and King. Our Baptism called us to stay
awake, to preach the Gospel and as Saint
Francis of Assisi said, “And if necessary,
use words.”
As we look to a new year (Advent)
we are given a renewed gift of Hope,
but we are reinforced with the stability
shown us by the monks and the Hermitage. The unique quality of a New Year
stability takes away that fear of change
and gives us a renewed sense of being
grounded in God’s promise of his never
forgetting us. This continues to be exemplified in the daily life of the hermits of
New Camaldoli.
Please
remember us
when making
or revising
your will.
Our official
name is:
Camaldolese
Hermits of
America
Our federal ID # is:
94-6050278
IRA Rollover Passes
for 2011/2012!
Good news! The IRA Charitable Rollover passed!
In “Division C -- the Tax Extenders
and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief
Act of 2011” of H.R. 1424, Congress
extended an excellent charitable planning opportunity for both 2011 and
2012. This act permits an IRA owner
age 70½ or older to make a direct transfer to charity. The transfer may be up to
$100,000 in one year and this IRA rollover will exist for year 2011 and year
2012. Sec. 408(d)(8)(A).
Camaldolese Tidings ~ 7
Bookstore/Gallery & Gift Shop
Left:
Our newest addition to our gallery is the artist
Heidi Hybl and the show is titled “Plant Forms” In
Heidi’s own words; Every living thing struggles to
survive and thrive. Living along the Big Sur Coast,
I observe cycles of growth, decay, and regeneration
on a grand scale. These paintings are the visual
manifestation of that reacting to and adapting to the
environmental conditions they inhabit. All works
are for sale through the end of January.
Right:
The solid bronze pieces are made in Germany and
are visual reminders of the sacred dimension of
life center and ground us. These rich and ancient
symbols keep the Divine/human connection ever
before us so we do not forget who we are, and
where we are going (c. mundi).
Gallery/Gifts and Bookstore open daily
8 to 5. Contact: BeBe @ 831-667-2456
x105 or [email protected].
Prayer Schedule Weekdays:
5:30 am Vigils
7:00 am Lauds 11:30 am Eucharist
6:00 pm Vespers
Sundays and Solemnities:
5:30 am Vigils
7:00 am Lauds
11:00 am Eucharist 5:00 pm Vespers
Growing in Love: A Monastic and
Contemplative Perspective
Preached Retreat • December 9-11
–Facilitated by Bede Healey, OSB Cam
Please call the Hermitage Bookstore
for reservations (831) 667-2456 x100. We ask that you register for only one
retreat, but you can be on the waiting
list for other retreats. The suggested
donation is $50.00 in addition to the
suggested donation for the room or
trailer.
8 ~ Camaldolese Tidings
Wall Tile and Garden Benches Order Form
New Camaldoli Hermitage
Order #____________
Engraved Wall Tiles
• 4 x 8: $100 (2 lines of 16 characters)
• 8 x 8: $500 (5 lines of 16 characters or logo)
• 12 x 12: $1,000 (5 lines of 16 characters or logo and one line)
Garden Benches with plaques
• 4-foot bench: $1,500 (2 lines of 16 characters)
• 5-foot bench: $2,000 (2 lines of 16 characters)
• 8-foot bench: $3,000 (2 lines of 16 characters)
A unique Christmas present!
*Only one Logo per will tile. Please print one character per block. We will send you a proof before processing.
Line 1
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Ordering Information
Name________________________________________________ Telephone______________________
Address______________________________________________ E-Mail_________________________
City_____________________ State_________ Zip___________________
_____Yes, I want to use my credit card: ____M/C ____ Visa ____AMX
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Expires ________/__________
Signed_______________________________________
Make check payable to: New Camaldoli Hermitage.
These plaques will be placed along the
wall leading to the entrance of the church.
You might consider the following.
In Memoriam
Commemorative
With prayers
In honor of:
To celebrate the anniversary of:
Family Name