Autumn Glory - 12

Here is a photo I took on All Saints' Day on my way to Loch Insh Watersports Centre for lunch.



The footpath suggests that not may people go to this church - but it is not the main entrance!

O when the saints go marching in,
O when the saints go marching in;
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in!

It is hard to believe that this was 1 November! The crop in the field still had to be harvested and many of the leaves on the trees were still green.

Bring flowers of the fairest

Here we have a lovely image to celebrate the Day of Resurrection.



We don't often have many flowers in the Chapel - normally they are reserved for the fifty days of Eastertide, but the School authorities kindly offered me this arrangement last week - and it seemed silly to turn it down. It has certainly cheered up some dull November days!

For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven:
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.

Have a Happy Sunday!

Autumn Glory - 11

At Pluscarden, the monks enter the Abbey church each morning to sing the praises of God.



Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,
Active and watchful, stand we all before thee;
Singing we offer prayer and meditation:
Thus we adore thee.

Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;
Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;
Bring us to heaven, where thy Saints united
Joy without ending.

All-holy Father, Son and equal Spirit,
Trinity blessed, send us thy salvation;
Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding
Through all creation. Amen.

It must sound wonderful as they chant these lovely words in Latin.

Autumn Glory - 10

Here is a photo of the modern Guest House for men staying at Pluscarden Abbey.



The first office of the day is at 4.45 am, and the last is at 8.00 pm. Getting up at 4.30 am cannot be easy during the long dark autumn nights!

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strenth in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

Autumn Glory - 9

I visited Pluscarden Abbey on All Souls' Day, and took this photo of the Abbey from the grounds of the cemetery. After Compline, the monks were due to process out of the Abbey church with lighted candles which were to be placed on each of the graves of the former monks.



Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on:
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remeber not past years.

So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those Angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

Inspiring words by Cardinal Newman.

Autumn Glory - 8

On the Feast of All Souls' I visited Pluscarden Abbey. I am pleased to inform both Fr Mildew and Fr Tim Finigan that I put by bike on the train and cycled from Elgin Station.



Here the Abbey is shown surrounded by trees in autumn colour. By now many of the leaves will have fallen off the trees.

To all life thou givest - to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish - but nought changeth thee.

Great words written by a Church of Scotland minister.

Autumn Glory - 7

Here is a splendid view of the River Tay taken from the grounds of the Dunkeld House Hotel.



The flowers of spring may wither, the hopes of summer fade,
The autumn droop in winter, the birds forsake the shade;
The winds be lulled, the sun and moon forget their old decree;
But we, in nature's latest hour, O Lord, will cling to thee!

Isn't it wonderful to see the mighty arm of God at work in creation?