Father Aaron Pirrera, OSB, age 72, monk of Subiaco Abbey, died peacefully September 18, 2016, at Sparks Regional Medical Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in the Abbey Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Click on the link for the full obituary.
Abbot Leonard was in Rome for the every-four-years meeting of the Benedictine Abbots of the world. On September 8th, Abbot Loenard had a chance to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican. In his talk to the Abbots, Pope Francis said today’s society “is increasingly showing its need of mercy” and described Benedictine monasteries “as oases of spirituality” where people can obtain that mercy. The Pope’s comments came on Thursday during an address to participants of the International Congress of Benedictine Abbots and Abbesses taking place in Rome.
With the recommendation of their seminaries, Abbot Leonard has now called Br. Cassian and Br. Reginald to receive ordination to the Order of the Diaconate. Bishop Anthony Taylor, of the Diocese of Little Rock, has graciously agreed to ordain them on December 30, 2016, at 10:00 am, in the Abbey Church of St. Benedict at Subiaco Abbey. Congratulations to both monks as they prepare for their ordination.