Friday, September 16, 2016

ONE OF MY STUDENTS MAKES GOOD!


THERE IS GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY
Abbey of the Incarnation
in
Agbang in the French speaking country of Togo
AFRICA

becomes an independent abbey and elects its first abbot, Abbot Romain Botta OSB


Incarnation Abbey was the the idea of Brother Boniface Tiguila who wanted to see a more "Africanized" Benedictine Monastery in Togo. With the help of the Benedictines of Saint Ottilien in Germany, Incarnation Priory (dependent on another abbey) was established in 1985 and raised to the status of Incarnation Abbey (independent abbey) in 2016.



Saint Ottilien Archabbey in Emming, (southern) Germany



Abbot Romain Botta, OSB

I had the pleasure of teaching then Brother Romain at St. Meinrad Seminary during his last semester. He was a student in my Transition Into Pastoral Ministry class. He was once an Olympic volleyball player for the national team, I once heard.  


I believe he is wearing the cross that I gave to the then Prior as a gift on the occasion of Father Romain's ordination to the priesthood. It was a gift that looked forward to the day when they would elect their first abbot. Who knew then that it would be Father Romain himself? 



I have taught several monks from the two monasteries in Togo that send monks to St. Meinrad for seminary.




TOGO - small French speaking country (in pink) inside the blue circle.



The Monastery of the Incarnation



The monastic community processing into church.



The community gathers for a photos after the election of the new abbot.



Exterior of newly blessed Abbey Church



Interior of the newly dedicated abbey church.



Bell Tower



The community gathers in the Chapter Room for educational events, retreats and community business.




Chapter Room with Monastery and Bell Tower in the background



The Benedictine monks of the Abbey of the Incarnation at prayer.



Native instruments are used in the liturgies of the monastery.



Three Benedictine Brothers  from two Abbeys in Togo are now studying at St. Meinrad Seminary.
Brother Cajetan on the left and Brother Justin on the right are from the Monastery of the Ascention. Brother David in the center is from the Monastery of the Incarnation (above). 

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