24 August 2020 marked the twenty fifth anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood of Frs. Benedict Hardy and Ambrose Flavell. Fr. Benedict is currently Prior and novice master at the Abbey. Fr. Ambrose now finds himself a Priest of the Aberdeen Diocese, and Parish Priest at Lerwick in Shetland. Because of current Covid-19 restrictions, and especially in view of Aberdeen’s strict local lock-down, Fr. Ambrose was not able to get to Pluscarden for a joint celebration, as he very much desired. Neither was Bishop Hugh, who was Abbot in 1995; nor was Archbishop Mario Conti, who was then Bishop of Aberdeen and the ordaining Prelate; nor were many other friends and oblates who would have liked to be there.

In spite of all that, the day was a very happy one, and apparently blessed by God. The sun shone bright and warm all day. At least some friends and local faithful were able to come for the Mass, celebrated at 11.00 a.m., at which Fr. Benedict presided and preached. Later at Vespers the Te Deum was sung, in thanksgiving for so many graces received.

Read Fr. Benedict’s homily.

In the evening a most wonderful celebratory concert was given in Church, just for the community, by the Moray String Quartet. The programme featured pieces by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Schubert, and Ireland; also some Scottish traditional fiddle music, wonderfully arranged. Of course the Quartet also played the “Strathspey”, composed by local master fiddler James Alexander, and named "Fr. Benedict of Pluscarden". That was written specially for his Vows Jubilee in 2011. Another very wonderful piece by the same composer is called “Mgr. Robert MacDonald”. That was written in honour of Mgr. Robert’s Diamond Jubilee of Ordination, and was also played, evoking fond memories of this very long standing friend of our community. The Concert lasted about an hour, and ended with a fine arrangement of Swing Low Sweet Chariot. It was all very much appreciated by all the brethren; surely especially by the Jubilarian!

Covid restrictions made it practically impossible for the community to entertain or refresh the performers afterwards. That was much regretted. Nevertheless, the brethren themselves repaired from the Concert to the Calefactory for a most pleasant and informal fraternal meal. This had a strongly Nigerian flavour: strongly in that there was a lot of it, and also because Nigerians like their pepper strong! And so a rather late Compline followed in the Lady Chapel, and thence, happily, if a little bit tired, to bed.