Thursday 1 February – Fr. Maurice had an appointment in Moncton for a series of tests on his heart.  The result was very satisfactory.

Br. Henry had to go back to the hospital in Miramichi.  He had fever and other symptoms of a return of the infection in the prosthesis in his right hip.  He had been recovering very well from both the operation and the previous round of infection.

Friday 2 – Dr. Lanoue, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on Br. Henry at Miramichi decided to transfer him to the Moncton City Hospital, where they have more people specializing in the treatment of infections and where they are better equipped for the operation that Br. Henry will need for the removal of the prosthesis and, after a long period on antibiotics, up to 3 months, the insertion of a new one.

In chapter the Abbot outlined an exercise that might replace the Lenten Reading.  Instead of each one having his own book and all reading in the same place at the same time, there would be a reader to read aloud to the community.  This would be a sort of revival of the old Reading Before Compline.  The proposal would be to start at 7 pm and have the reading until Compline.  What gave the Abbot the idea was the suitability of the Abbot General’s recent letter for the time of Lent and that we already have a full programme of reading for the refectory.  The community will discuss the Abbot’s proposal on Monday and may, of course, turn it down.

Saturday 3 – Father Graham went to pick up from Moncton Airport one of his fellow students from the Beda College, Patrick, a deacon from Zimbabwe.

Monday 5 – Br. Henry had his operation this evening.  Let’s hope that all goes well this time.

Tuesday 6 – The afternoon the Abbot went to Moncton to visit Br. Henry.  He found him on quite good form, in good spirits for somebody had just had a big operation.

Wednesday 7 – Monthly day of prayer for the departed.

Michael Galante left this morning.  He had spent two full weeks here and he left us with a hope that we might see him again in more permanent fashion, at least for an observership.  He looks like he would make a good monk.

Friday 9 – It was very cold.  Since the 19^th of January the norm has been minus 20, at least at night.  On the other hand we have hardly had any snow, not more than 18 inches.

Saturday 10 – The Abbot and Br. Stephan went to see Br. Henry again.  They found him in pretty good condition.  The specialist is optimistic about his complete recovery.

Sunday 11 – It was the Abbot’s turn as principal celebrant at the Mass.  In his homily he talked about joy.

This week there was several guests, who stayed most of the week.  It is impressive to see them assisting at so many of our Offices.

Monday 12 – An aspirant called Hauke Hempel came for a few days.  He could not stay longer on a account of his work.  He comes from Sackville, New Brunswick.

Tuesday 13 – Fr. Graham took Patrick, the African deacon, to the airport.  He took the opportunity to visit Br. Henry, whom he found to be doing well and was to be transferred to the Residence of the Sisters of Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur tomorrow.  The sisters are very good to him.

Wednesday 14 – After None there was a meeting of the Business Council.

In chapter the Abbot finished talking about the Abbot General’s reflections on the election of his successor at the General Chapter of 2008.  He is going to follow up with a presentation of Dom Armand’s paper on the structures of the Order and their interaction.

Thursday 15 – There was a heavy snowstorm during the night.  The Abbot and I both had appointments in Miramichi.

Friday 16 – We are a couple of days into the reading of the history of Spencer, 1825 – 1958, Through Faith and Fire by Fr. Gabriel Bertonière of Spencer.  It is in English, but since the community of Spencer, now in Massachusetts, took root in Nova Scotia, when it first came from France, we feel that the story concerns us closely.

Saturday 17 – This afternoon the Abbot went to see Br. Henry, with me as his driver.  Br. Henry seems to be recovering, but he does have some anxieties about his condition.

Sunday 18 – Fr. Maurice was happy to see his two brothers and a sister-in-law who came to see him.

Tuesday 20 – The public address systems in our chapel and refectory were not working properly.  A technician from Moncton came and tried to do repairs.  He did well in the refectory but had to take the amplifier from the chapel to the firm’s workshop.

Wednesday 21 – Ash Wednesday.  In chapter the Abbot did a presentation of the main lines of Dom Armand Veilleux’ work on the structures of the Order and their interrelationship.  It is a rather extensive treatment.

Thursday 22 – We get a big variety of people coming to the guest house.  Currently we have a couple with two young children.

Friday 23 – This afternoon Brother Gilles went to take a few things to Brother Henry.  He has a rather large room and wants to set up a prayer corner.  Brother Gilles also took with him all that was need to cut Brother Henry’s hair and beard.  He shaved off his beard completely and no longer recognized himself.

Saturday 24 – A group of local men met here under the leadership of Father Savio, the pastor of our parish.  The were reflecting together about the Christian life.  Father Maurice was involved as facilitator.  The whole event went off very well.

Dimanche 25 – First Sunday of Lent.  We had a morning chapter to solemnly inaugurate our Lenten observance.  At the Mass the preacher had us reflect on temptation in Jesus and on our own temptations and how to fight against them.

Monday 26 – We began our Lenten reading according to a special new formula.  One man reads out loud while the others listen.  It is an experiment for this year.  We have it before Compline, like we used to.  The first thing read was the Pope’s message for Lent.  Next the Abbot General’s letter on acedia was read.  Then we shall see.

Tuesday 27 – A vespers, there was a catechetical group from the French-speaking school at Carrefour Beau Soleil in Miramichi.  The school is part of an activities centre for French-speaking people.  Besides the school they have Sunday Mass and all sorts of activities.  The city of Miramichi is largely English-speaking.  There are similar French cultural centers in Saint John and Fredericton.  After supper the Abbot met with these young people.

Wednesday 28 – Br. Gilles had the car checked out with a view to Br. Stephan’s trip to see his family.  It’s not just down the street.