Changes in the Monastery

During the last months we have lived in our Monastery important changes. Of course, we must mention the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the absolute cessation of the pilgrimage. In the area of the Camino, the contagions have not been very abundant in Rabanal. In October Isabel, from the Refuge of Our Lady of Pilar, was infected, but thank God she showed only mild symptoms.

But in addition to the profound alterations that the pandemic produced in our daily life, there were also important changes in our Community. At the end of 2019, Father Peter Ahn came from Waegwan Abbey (Korea). In September, Father Juan Antonio Torres, who until then had been pastor of the Spanish-speaking Catholic Mission of the Diocese of Munich, also joined the Community.

But there were not only additions. In September Father Clement Inn left us after five years and returned to his Abbey in Waegwan, where he is now the Mission Procurator of this monastery.

Father Pius Mühlbacher returned to the Archabbey of St. Ottilien after ten fruitful years in Rabanal del Camino, leaving a pleasant memory in the town and among the pilgrims.

But the surprises did not end there. Around Holy Week news began to arrive of the imminent appointment of the Superior of the Community, Father Javier Aparicio, as Procurator of the Congregation. This brings to an end a period of more than ten years of self-sacrificing service in this small community. The position he is assuming is of great importance, since he will be in charge of managing the missionary projects and their financing.

This has meant his departure to Santa Otilia, and the appointment of Father Juan Antonio Torres as Superior of the Community. For the time being, Father Pedro is next to him, awaiting the arrival of a new group of monks, with whom to continue giving life to this Benedictine house on the Way of St. James.