The Augustinian Friars in Britain

Our Hearts are Restless until they Rest in You, Lord

A Visit to the Community of Discernment

by Bernard O’Connor OSA

I dropped by on a visit along with Stefan Park OSA, the director, on an impulse.  We invited ourselves to join them for their evening meal.

The Community of Discernment of St John Stone resides at 17 Dorville Crescent.  It is now in its second year.  Of last year’s group of four, one is studying at the diocesan seminary at Allen Hall, another is a pre-novice with us in Hoxton.  The other two have decided to pursue different paths—such is the purpose of discernment.  One of those two is helping with the children’s Confirmation programme at St Augustine’s.

This year there are five, from Ireland, Zambia, India, South Africa and the Czech Republic.  The man from Ireland is destined for Maynooth next year.  The others—who knows - the discerning process continues, but we (OSAs) are hopeful!

We had a good meal, nicely cooked by one of them.  They take it in turns, and naturally some are more expert than others.  I gather we were fortunate to have no.1.  More importantly, it was an easy, relaxed evening, nobody straining to make an impression or to dominate, a few good laughs.

After tea and chocolate cake in the lounge (most of them chose to forego the chocolate cake), we were called to prayer and went down stairs to the chapel for night prayer.  They say Morning Prayer of the Church together at 7 am, and Night Prayer after the evening meal.  Some of them go out to work, some of them are desperately seeking work.  They pay a modest sum for their keep and are responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the house.

Once a week, on Tuesday, they have a session together , often with an outside speaker—the following day, a Redemptorist was coming to speak to them.  The previous Saturday they had taken part in a day organised by the diocese for vocation discernment, along with others who joined them just for the day.  Talking to the others, they felt fortunate to belong to a community of like-minded men, thinking seriously of priesthood or religious life, but still not sure, where they had the opportunity to talk together and to share life together.

They had craftily arranged on Saturday to spread themselves around the different tables at mealtime, and tell everybody about the St John Stone Community of Discernment!

 

It was a refreshing, uplifting experience, to be with these young men, so upfront about their faith in an easy relaxed way, so open to what we are inviting them …………