Rorate Caeli

The meaning of a new foundation

Rinascimento Sacro reported last Tuesday (after Diocesi24) on the new house established by Benedictine monks of Le Barroux in Liguria:

On July 2nd, three monks, formerly of the Abbey of Le Barroux, have established a new monastic house in Italy, where only the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite will be celebrated. [More information in The New Liturgical Movement]

Wonderful news, and congratulations to the Bishop of Albenga-Imperia, who has welcomed these monks with so much love!

What is the origin of this foundation? We can report that Dom Jehan decided to leave Le Barroux because he is firmly attached to the initial charism of the late Dom Gérard Calvet - that is, the exclusive celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Dom Louis-Marie de Geyer d'Orth, abbot of Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux since 2004, had signed the statement of July 13, 2007, published in French Catholic monthly La Nef, in which it could be read:

"The Pope invites us strongly: 'The two Forms of the usage of the Roman Rite can be mutually enriching'. ... In order that the peace may be profound, it is necessary that each one of them takes, without second thoughts, one step towards the other."