Canada
Breaking ground for a new monastery in Vancouver

On March 28, in a setting of awesome natural beauty, on a high plateau above the Squamish River Valley, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, and friends of Queen of Peace Monastery community gathered to break ground for a new monastery in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Sister Mary Thomas, OP, prioress of the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, came from Farmington Hills, Michigan, the Dominican monastery that sponsored the new foundation in Western Canada over its first 10 years.

The liturgy for Blessing of the Land and the Construction Site focused on St Luke’s gospel of “A house with its foundation on a rock.” The site of the new monastery is a rocky plateau that faces the glacial peaks of the stunning Tantalus Ranges, and thus, Archbishop Miller spoke of building the Church upon solid rock. Christ is the cornerstone of this new monastery.

The rite began with a welcome by Sister Claire, prioress of the community. As everyone gathered at the edge of the waters of the flowing Pilchuck Creek, she reflected on the experience of deep thirst that all have for living water, Christ himself, and the Dominican nuns’ hopes that this monastery will become a true oasis for those who thirst, for all who long for something that will satisfy their deepest desires and who wish to spend time in the silence and prayer of praise of this monastery.

The Archbishop prayed that this new work contribute to the building up of God’s kingdom and join us in faith and love to Christ.