The Tyburn Nuns – Ngakuru, Rotorua

Mother M. Angela (Mother Prioress) sends her warmest greetings to the parishes of St. Thomas More, St Mary Immaculate, St Joseph’s, St. Patrick’s and St. Peter’s. The Ngakuru Tyburn Nuns Community would like to outline to all Western Bay of Plenty parishioners, and Monastery supporters and friends, some of the many blessings the Monastery has received so far this year.

On the Feast of St. Benedict, Sunday 11^th July 2010, Holy Mass was offered in the Monastery church for all the Monastery’s friends and benefactors.

In March, the gift of the beautiful Carrara marble statue of “Mary of Ngakuru,” sculptured by Michael Pervan, was delivered and placed in its shrine and protective gazebo in the Rosary Garden. A few days later, on the Feast of the Annunciation, the community gathered in the garden with about a hundred people for the Holy Mass, celebrated by Bishop Denis Browne and several priests, followed by the official unveiling and blessing of the Mary of Ngakuru statue.

On the 11^th June 2010, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Bishop Denis Browne was once again present to celebrate Holy Mass in the new sanctuary of the relocated “Taneatua” Monastery church. Afterwards, the community and friends and supporters proceeded in procession to the blessing ceremony of the newly completed retreat wing (12 single, centrally heated en-suite rooms with peaceful lake or countryside views, small laundry, kitchenette, library/meeting room, original house lounge with a wood-burner fire etc).

At the entrance of the retreat wing stands a Statue of the Sacred Heart and above on the pitched timber façade is a replica of the reverse side of “The Medal of St. Benedict” (this replica was created by one of the nuns). The statue and the medal say much about the Tyburn Nuns life at Ngakuru – a community consecrated to the Sacred Heart and following the “Rule of St. Benedict,” (a book of monastic precepts). The spirit of “The Rule” can be summed in St Benedict’s own words, “to prefer nothing to the love of Christ.” This love for Christ is reinforced in the Ngakuru Monastery’s Latin name, “Cor Iesu Fons Vitae” translates “The Heart of Jesus, the Fountain of Life” and the Tyburn Nuns full title is “The Benedictine Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre OSB,” again, an expression of adoration for Christ.

The Tyburn Nuns’ foundress, Marie-Adele Garnier (1838-1924), now more commonly known as “Mother Mary of St. Peter,” chose the Rule of St. Benedict, bringing to it her own special charism – making Eucharistic Adoration an intrinsic part of the nuns’ liturgical life, “for the Eucharist is the gift of the Heart of Jesus, Who wills to dwell ever in our midst.”

The Shortened prayer for the Canonisation for Mother Mary of St. Peter reads:

PRAYER FOR HER CANONISATION

Lord, glorify Your servant,

Mother Mary of St. Peter

That Your servant

May glorify You.

The original Taneatua church is now the laity chapel and the recent extension, with its pitched roof, has provided a spacious sanctuary, and the original carved altar has been raised up three steps, on a timber dais, surrounded by a balustrade, “forming a most fitting throne for the daily exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.”

Steve McLeod, the Monastery’s Landscaping Project Manager, is hugely thankful to all the helpers who volunteered from the beginning (March 2009) until now to create the Rosary Garden and car park, clearing Calvary Hill (and carrying the steel Cross), clearing the pond area, and now creating the bush walk. Steve says, “Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me create a beautiful place of prayer and peace … It has been a wonderful and fantastic experience. ‘For me and my house we will serve the Lord,’ (Joshua 24:15) …Many blessings and God Bless you all from me and Mother M. Xavier OSB.”

Mother Xavier (from London) wishes to “thank all the working bee volunteers past, present - and future.” Steve McLeod also wishes to advise that his official working bees are in recess until February 2011, when the pond and bush walk restoration work will resume. However, individuals or groups are welcome to offer their help with gardening, weeding, wood stacking, wood splitting, and other small projects as may be required. Please ring Mother Angela (Mother Prioress)

07 333 2378 for more small project details and information.

Currently, Mother M. Xavier is awaiting Building Consent approval from the Rotorua District Council (RDC) to commence “Stage 11” of the Monastery’s Building Project. 

This year, “the Community has had the joy of receiving five Oblate Novices” who, while not called to full monastic life, appreciate the value of the monastic way of serving God and want to make it part of their lives (in their prayer and work and peace). For the spirit of the Rule (of St. Benedict) is essentially the spirit of the Gospel and can be applied to those living out their vocation in the world.

As from this July, Mother Angela has been taking bookings for individual or group retreats. The Tyburn Nuns ‘aflame with faith’ are renowned for their overflowing of monastic hospitality, and all visitors and guests (retreatants) are made to feel most welcome, “We try to receive everyone who comes, like Christ Himself.”

For all retreat information and/or bookings, and “those who truly seek God as a nun or oblate,” please phone (or fax) Mother M. Angela OSB on 07 333 2378. 

For general information about the monastic contemplative Tyburn Nuns cloistered congregation, the Benedictine Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre, please go to the small “Tyburn Nuns stand” in the foyer of the church or refer to the (London Mother House) United Kingdom website: www.tyburnconvent.org.uk

Once again, Mother M. Xavier OSB (Mother General) and the entire Community (Mother Angela, Mother Christina, Mother Joanna, Mother Seraphim and Mother Justin), thank their Diocesan Family, and all their benefactors and friends for their amazing support, work and prayers, and “ask the blessing and protection of St. Benedict on each of you and your families, and the nuns pray the Heart of Jesus will keep you ever in His love.”

Pax. (Peace)

Jeff Burgess