This year, the 8th of September, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, marked the 75th anniversary of the official Restoration of Monastic Life at Pluscarden.

This was also the day chosen for the official blessing of our Building Site, in preparation for the construction of a new Guest house for ladies to the South of the monastery, to be called St. Joseph’s.

Invitations for the Blessing ceremony were sent to all our neighbours in the valley, and to many of our local friends. Perhaps something over 150 people were able to attend. They included the Lord Lieutenant, our M.P., the convener of the Moray Council, local clergy and many others worthy of mention. Among them all, perhaps most notable were Mrs. Pamela Coate, who had been present at the original opening ceremony on 8 September 1948, and Mr. Jim Royan who had also been there: though he was only a baby at the time!

Proceedings began at 3.00 p.m. in very warm sunshine, with a speech by our Appeal Committee Chairman Mr. Grenville Johnson. Before blessing the site, accompanied by Gregorian Chant, Fr. Abbot also spoke, explaining the reason for the dedication to St. Joseph.

All present were then piped around to the large marquee on the front lawn. There items of interest were on display, including the building plans, and carved work by our currently resident sculptor Mr. Philip Chatfield. There also awaited a plentiful supply of “Seider” – cider made from Pluscarden apples, using the Champagne method - and other refreshments.

At 4.30 all were encouraged to adjourn to the Transepts, where Abbot Upson’s fine film of the ceremony of 8 September 1948 was shown.

Festivities concluded with Vespers of the Feast, followed by a heart-felt Te Deum, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. As Fr. Abbot remarked in his homily at Mass: at the age of 75, we give thanks to God simply for being still alive! The life of each one of us is in a sense a miracle: so certainly is the continuing life of this Benedictine family. Ad multos annos!