Photo : At the centre of the rite of blessing , the abbot prostrates on the ground whilst the Litanies of the Saints are sung . This gesture expresses the humility which accompanies the most intense prayer asking for God ’ s blessing through the intercession of the Saints
However , the life of contemplation , prayer and music clearly did ‘ work ’ for him , and he remained for the following 33 years in that monastery , enjoying what he describes as a ‘ very happy life ’. During that period , the community was growing and diversifying its activities , with an average of two new young people joining each year – something that Fr Xavier now hopes to bring about at Quarr , which has suffered from falling numbers in recent years . “ I benefitted from the leadership of a great Abbot who is now an Archbishop in France , and I hope that I will be able to use at Quarr Abbey some of what I learned from him ” he says . It was during his time at Solesmes that Fr Xavier began his extensive study of theology , which he continued at Fribourg in
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