On September 14th, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in our Wrentham community‘s 70th year, we had the great joy of celebrating the Abbatial Blessing of our newly elected abbess, Mother Sofia Millican.

His Excellency Bishop Robert Reed presided over the ceremony, whose main components included the Presentation of the abbess-elect by the former abbess, Mother Maureen, the Examination of the abbess-elect by the bishop, the Litany of the Saints, the Prayer of Blessing and the Presentation of the Rule of St Benedict, the ring and the staff.

Bishop Reed’s homily wove together beautifully the themes of spiritual motherhood and the Cross. His presence as well as that of Mother Sofia’s family and the many friends of our monastery brought immense joy to all of us on a day that will not easily be forgotten.