A blog post has had to go on hold for a while due to the birth of our first lamb of the year.
Born in brilliant, blessed sunshine this morning was Basil, named in honour of our own Dom Basil Gwydir, whose centenary of death we keep this year. He was one of several of our monks who served as military chaplains in the Great War. He died when the hospital ship, HMHS Rohilla, sank off Whitby on 30 October 1914, not long after the war had begun. It is said of Fr Basil that he remained below decks with sailors who were immobile and unable to escape, and so drowned with them.
Maiorem hac dilectionem nemo habet, ut animam suam ponat qui pro amicis suis. (John 15:13)
The new Basil is hale and hearty, and of full voice.
Dominus Mihi Adjutor 
Beautiful–and a fitting name
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Welcome to the world, little Basil, and congratulations shepherd step daddy
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Welcome Basil to our world. May every step you take bring blessings and light. You are a BEAUTIFUL expression of God’s perfect love.
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Thank you ladies! I must admit to getting a little quasi-parentally gooey when lambs are born.
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Oh, how I’d like to get my arms around that cute little fellow.
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I managed it, and yes, it was lovely. New lamb smell: heavenly.
Pax!
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What a coincidence! I visited the Abbey on Tuesday to see the memorial to the Dpuai war dead and I have the papers regarding Dom Basil from the Abbott. He will be written into my story of a fictitious Douai boy who goes to war! I promise he will be dealt with in a wonderful way
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How superb! I do hope you will let us have a copy when it is finished; it would be a fitting inclusion in our library and Fr Basil’s archive. This year we hope to put put a small memorial booklet with Fr Basil’s poetry as published in the Douai Magazines of his day. It will be a limited run but if you keep your eyes peeled I am sure you will be able to get one if you would like on.
Pax!
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