Ave Maria -Tallis Scholars

Spiritual talent – St. Bernadette Soubirous was born in Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844.

1858, she was granted a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a cave on the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes.

The civil authorities tried to frighten Bernadette into recanting her accounts, but she remained faithful to the vision. On February 25, a spring emerged from the cave and the waters were discovered to be of a miraculous nature, capable of healing the sick and lame. On March 25, Bernadette announced that the vision stated that she was the Immaculate Conception, and that a church should be erected on the site.
Bernadette was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI.

Just what does a Benedictine Monk do with his time?

Let the hearts that seek The Lord rejoice’
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered.

The problem legalization didn’t make go away. What’s it like to see the deaths, and be unable to do anything to make things better?

The ‘Monastic Family of Bethlehem and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary’ took birth in 1950, following the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Sisters were founded on France, soon after, and the Brothers in France in 1976.

They are 2 geographically distinct Lavras of Hermits,one Congregation men, the other of women, though with similar charism lifestyle and foundation.

The life of the Monks is to love Jesus through Mary, and adore the Blessed Trinity in silence and solitude . It is Saint Bruno that the religious confide in to guide them toward the hermit life. The life of the monastic family of Bethlehem is inspired by the model lauras or skites in Egyptian beginnings of Christian monasticism, where the monks lived in solitude through the week and gathered for the Holy Synaxis on Sunday.

The monks (and nuns) of Bethlehem pray, work, study, eat and sleep in their cells and hermitages. The monastic day begins with evening vespers celebrated in common in the chapel. Then,the Religious stand Vigil during the night “where they mount a holy and persevering watch, awaiting the return of their Master, in opening when he knocks” (San Bruno).

They then go to the oratory for Matins, followed by Lauds and the Eucharist. They are the only two times liturgical celebration lived together daily; the little hours of the divine office are celebrated in their cells.
Monday is a Desert day, of complete solitude, except for a simple Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Common.

There offices are greatly inspired by Byzantine-Slav/Middle Eastern traditions as well as the simplicity of Latin Carthusian Chant.

Sundays and great Feasts are fraternal, marked by a meal in Common ,and a fraternal walk, and recreation.
The worldwide Communities counts 500 Members.(Primarily French speaking)

Monasteries of Monks are in France, Italy,Spain and Israel.

O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae,
et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina
sedentes in tenebris,
et umbra mortis.

O morning star,
splendour of the light eternal
and bright sun of righteousness:
come and bring light
to those who dwell in darkness
and walk in the shadow of death.

O Clavis David,
et sceptrum domus Israël,
qui aperis, et nemo claudit,
claudis, et nemo aperuit:
veni, et educ vinctum
de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris,
et umbra mortis.

O Key of David
and sceptre of the House of Israel,
come, And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to death’s abode..