New Benedictines

The Oblates of Mary, Queen of Apostles have followed the Benedictine rule since their founding. But this year they officially became Benedictines and their new name is Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. The community's first profession as Benedictines will be this Saturday, 19 May at 1:30 p.m. at Conception Abbey in Missouri.

While puttering around their website, I found a link to this beautiful tribute to the sisters that Anthony Esolen wrote for last January's number of Crisis magazine. In its own way, it is another contribution to the "Restoration of Christendom" theme which several of the brethren have been discussing lately.

Simply put, Professor Esolen is a wonderful writer. Even if he were only writing about snowboarding, it would still be worth the read. Those who know about such things say that his is the best English version of Dante's Divine Comedy that has ever been done. (Even better than Dorothy Sayers's? So they say.) So do have a look at his essay on the Benedictines of Mary.