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To: Priests
From: Monsignor James Schillinger, Ongoing Formation of Priests
Advent 2018 begins December 2, 2018. As in previous years, our presbyterate will come together for a day of prayer and reflection. The Trappist community at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers has graciously offered to host the event on Monday, December 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Our presenter will be Abbot Augustine Myslinski, OCSO. He was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age 11. His family worshipped at Corpus Christi Church in Stone Mountain. Soon after his graduation from Clarkston High School in Dekalb County (1976), he began studies for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the Pontifical College Josephinum (1980) and then went on to complete three years of studies at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Just before his diaconate ordination, he withdrew from the seminary program and worked in the Atlanta area for the next twelve years. During this period, Abbot Augustine found himself drawn to the Cistercian life. He joined the community at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in 1999, professed solemn vows as a religious brother in 2005, and after discerning a further call to the priesthood, was ordained by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama in 2011. In May 2016, he was elected by his brother monks to serve the community as their eighth Abbot.
Advent brings us all to a new year of grace. I’m reminded of another Trappist monk who spoke beautifully and wisely to the call of this season, Thomas Merton, who said, “Advent is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” I hope you will plan to be with your brother priests for this day of prayer and fraternity.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Amanda Hailey at ahailey@archatl.com no later than November 28, 2018.