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A flourishing, ecumenical, male and female monastic community in the northern Italian village of Bose offers the Church a model of how to integrate an uplifting spiritual rhythm with a busy daily work routine, a community life and hospitality to visitors. JosReawakened by the bells of Bose
A flourishing, ecumenical, male and female monastic community in the northern Italian village of Bose offers the Church a model of how to integrate an uplifting spiritual rhythm with a busy daily work routine, a community life and hospitality to visitors. Joseph Grech was recently one such guest. My alarm rang at 5.30am. I dragged myself out of bed, dressed quickly and ventured out in the cold, semi-darkness and drizzle. As I made my way to the modern church of the monastery in Bose, Italy, the church bells began ringing incessantly, calling the community of male and female monks and their guests for the liturgical celebration. I and some 40 other visitors from Malta were staying at the monastery for six days as part of a group organised by the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP) Oratory in Birkirkara, led by Fr Martin Cilia. Sitting in the dimly lit church with just a solitary candle alight near the tabernacle, I could make out the silhouettes of several members of our group as well as other visitors who had also managed to wake up on time. The first monk, dressed in the community’s cream-coloured hooded gown, climbed up a flight of side stairs. He lit a wick from the candle... Read more