Dear Sangha,

Today we celebrated the Solemnity of the Passing of St. Benedict, from the actual date of the feast 21 March, since yesterday was a Sunday. (Ecclesiastical Rules!!!) At the close of the Morning Prayers we have a litany of supplications we pray and the very first one really touched me. I prayed it with all of you especially in mind. It went like this:

"Look with favor on all who are monks, whether in the East or the West, whether non-Christian
or Christian, and lead them to yourself."

I know not everyone in our Sangha are monks, very few probably, but the prayer was made in my mind and heart for all of you. It is interesting that this prayer is made on this special feast of the Father of Western Monasticism. Understand that I did not pray that everyone should become Christian, and the "heart-reading" of this intercession does not say that either. It mentions that we all be lead to yourself, whomever that may be!

Gassho, with bows

Kyrill Seishin