ABBOT OF BUCKFAST SOLEMNLY BLESSED His Three Brothers Came From Germany To See the Ceremony

1'11E SOLEMN BLESSING OF DOM BRUNO FEHRENBACHER, TIIE NEWLY INSTALLED ABBOT OF BUCKFAST ABBEY, TOOK PLACE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 23.
Mgr. John Barrett, Bishop of Plymouth.
Mgr, Mathew, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, was present, representing the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
Scarlet Banners
A vast congregation stood paeked together in the abbey church during the service, which lasted three hours. The white stone pillars of the Abbey were hung with scarlet banners which were surmounted by coats-of-arms.
Towards the end of the service monks of the abbey bore gifts of bread and casks of wine as a present from the Abbot to Mgr. Barrett.
After the service the monks went one by one to the new Abbot, seated his throne, and gave him the kiss obedience.
Oath of Allegiance
The Abbot gave his oath of allegiance to the Holy See and promised that he would " carefully guard the possessions of the monastery and use them for the good of the Church, the brethren, the poor and the homeless."
From the Bishop the Abbot then received his crozier and ring. Then, wearing his mitre, Dom Bruno gave his first blessing to the people.
At the luncheon held after the service, Mgr. Barrett, toasting the new Abbot, said : "To-day we have with us our new Abbot of Buckfast, who represents the third stage in the life of the restored abbey. The first Abbot represented its rediscovery, the second saw Buckfast rise and grow—it was in its youth. Now a new Abbot comes into the full life of the abbey. He conies, as he was told to-day in very many long and serious words, to direct and govern the monks of Buckfast.
" The Essence of Democracy "
" He was called by the voice of his brethren from a long distance, and that was a sign that it was not forgotten What he was like when he was a young monk within these walls. That confidence in him is the very essence of democracy —a body of men willing joyfully to submit themselves to one of their own number for guidance, direction and government."
Replying, Dom Bruno expressed sincere thanks for the encouraging words addressed to him. He was fully aware of the responsibilities that * awaited him, particularly when he considered what his great predecessor had achieved. By the help of God and the faithful collaboration of a loyal and keen community he hoped to preserve and increase what had been so wonderfully begun.
" International Co-operation "
"In this abbey," said Dom Bruno, " we have realised a certain thing which the world outside is vainly seeking. Our community is made up of different nationalities. This is a source of dissension and mistrust nowadays, but I would like to draw your attention to the fact that different nationalities can work together for peace and harmony for everyone concerned.
" There is," he added, " hardly a country where the service and worship of God is so free and unhampered as in this realm underthe guidance of our King George VI. Naturally, our community is becoming entirely English, showing that the work done by my predecessors is bearing fruit. The English are hearing the call to enter monasteries and serve among their brethren."
Among those present were the Abbot's three brothers, Alfons, Otto and Max, who had travelled from Wartemburg to be present at their brother's blessing.