By Sarah Mac Donald - 10 November, 2014
A Co Meath-based community of Benedictine monks is celebrating the ordination of a new member though the priory was only established in 2009.
Bishop Michael Smith ordained Dom Benedict Maria Andersen OSB to the priesthood on the Feast of All Saints at St Mary’s Church in Drogheda.
The new priest is a member of the Silverstream Benedictine Priory which is based in Stamullen in Co Meath.
Dom Andersen celebrated his First Mass on Sunday 2 November at St Kevin’s Church, Harrington Street, Dublin.
Under the patronage of Our Lady of the Cenacle, the monks of Silverstream Priory devote themselves to perpetual adoration and praying for the sanctification of priests.
Without leaving the enclosure of the monastery, the monks undertake various works compatible with their vocation, such as hospitality to clergy in need of a spiritual respite and a Catholic book shop.
Last March, the monks launched a major fundraising campaign aimed at allowing them purchase the buildings and 15 acres of Silverstream Priory.
They say that until such time as the monks own Silverstream Priory, the further development of the monastic community is gravely compromised.
Prior Mark Daniel Kirby explained that, “Promising young vocations are knocking at our door, but the door does not belong to us, nor does the house, nor the land.”
Appealing for support, the monks have warned, “The future of Silverstream Priory is at stake.”
