This morning the conventual Chapter of Holy Cross Abbey voted Fr. Joseph Wittstock as our new Abbot. The election was declared by Dom Damian Carr, our Father Immediate and is presently being confirmed by our Abbot General, Dom Eamon Fitzgerald, in Rome. Dom Joseph was elected to a six year term.
At noon today, the Chapter members will promise their obedience to their new Abbot and he will be installed as Abbot elect.
For our visitors and neighbors who note ceremonial details, the crozier was removed from choir when Abbot Robert retired and will return after Dom Joseph has received the Abbatial Blessing at a date still to be determined.
Tim says
Congratulations Dom Joseph. I am sure you will serve the community well in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Rule.
God Bless
christine kay says
May God bless you abundantly, Dom Joseph. I will pray for you for God’s guidance in your new role at Holy Cross. Sincere congratulations.
Peggy Anderson says
Congratulations to you, Fr. Joseph, and to all of the monks at Holy Cross Abbey! Have been praying for all of you and will continue to do so, especially, as you begin a new chapter in you lives. Peace and Love, Peggy(-:
Vern Conaway & Mary Sue Conaway says
May the Lord continue to bless you richly Dom Joseph. Our family will keep you and your brother monks in our daily prayer. God bless you all. Vern, Mary Sue, Katie, Pilar & Thomas
Brian Craig says
Blessings and every good wish for success!
John Reier says
Congratulations, Dom Joseph, on your election as the abbot of Holy Cross Abbey. My prayers for you and your brothers as you begin your duties. Also, my best wishes and continued prayers for Fr. Robert. I hope to return to the abbey with my brother before I move to South Carolina.
Fr Michael Casagram says
Blessings and Peace, Fr Joseph, and thank you for accepting this election.
Wishing you and all the community joy and peace, Fr Michael (Gethsemani)
Kathy Sommers Robertson says
Congratulations. May the Good Lord guide you and bless you.
Shep Abell says
All blessings to you, Fr. Joseph, and all the monks and the extended Holy Cross Abbey community.
And thanks to Fr. Robert for his many years of service and wisdom as Abbot
bro. M. Theophane Young OCSO says
Hearty Congratulations, Dom Joseph, my good friend these past 28 years, on your election as Abbot of HCA , Berryville. So now, with hindsight, we can see that the Good Lord had a grand purpose in mind, although far down the road, in allowing your suffering of 90-91. Thank you so much for sticking it out even though you knew not his purpose all these years. I admire your courage and perseverance. — indeed, have been admiring those good qualities in you all these years. I understand that the Abbatial office is a tremendous burden on anyone’s shoulders, especially in these days of rapid social change and transition. But I’m sure that Jesus and Mother Mary will be with you to help you to carry out your duties with real joy, and I will pray for that, please be sure. Here at Shuili, all is ‘as usual’, although for me, my health is not so good. We have 4 in solemn vows (incl. 1 priest + 1 deacon, who’ll be ordained, God willing, in November), 1 in temporary vows , plus 1 Observor, who hopes to start his postulancy/novitiate in the very near future, and we agree with that. We also have another 3 or 4 Observors due to come early next year — let’s see what happens. I function as Treasurer/Bookkeeper. Librarian, Driver, and i/c of the Liturgy — in a small community one has many ‘jobs’ ^_^. Well, take care, Joseph, and be sure of a constant place in my poor prayers. With brotherly affection in Jesus, Theo. P.S. I am now the grandfather of 2, Phineas at 4 yrs, and Astrid at 9 months; they live with my son and his wife a bit north of NYC, along the Hudson River. Jon has a fairly good job in NYC as a video-editor. C iao!
Donald E. Jackson says
Dear Father Joseph,
Congratulations to you on your election as the new Abbot of Holy Cross Abbey. May the Holy Spirit guide you in your new position and responsibilities. May Father Edward McCorkell intercede for you as he was so proud of you as a fellow South African in the community at Holy Cross Abbey.
With Peace and Prayers,
Don Jackson
Retreatant at HCA since 1979
Klaus Barth says
Congratulation to you Father Joseph. I will miss you in the gift shop and the wonderful conversations we had.
May the Lord provide you with all the skills and wisdom to navigate the HCA through all the storms you may encounter.
Keeping my fingers crossed as always
Klaus Barth
Dennis DiVito says
Peace and blessings to you Dom Joseph and all the brothers of Holy Cross.
Ann says
So…are you not going to be at the gift shop any more? Too bad! I would think you would find that contact with the pilgrims nourishing.
Ann