Dear Brothers, 

We are entering into a time period when we are in need to prepare our internal souls for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Nativity. Christ implores us to fast (Matthew 6:16) and so we enter into this solemn time period in our life in Christ in which we are to fast responsibly. This year, we have some new persons that have entered into our Order that may not be familiar with Martinmas, or St. Martin's Fast, so I would like to explain very briefly. St. Gregory of Tours in the 400s declared that a Fast would be maintained 40 days before the Feast of the Nativity on Dec. 25th. This puts our fasting time from November 15th to December 24th. Originally this was the first Advent Fast. This was later shortened, to make it easier and create laxness in the Church of God, to go for 4 weeks before Christmas. This was what was then called Advent today. Today, it is a shell of what it use to be, the Roman Church does not even push fasting and abstinence during the time period of Advent. It is mostly followed only by monastics. Only the Orthodox East have maintained the truth of this ancient practice and so we will continue it as the Western Church should to follow the ways of the Fathers. 

In the Anglican Practice, Martinmas is celebrated on St. Martin's Feast Day. I have moved our festivities to Sunday November 10th so that Parishes may participate. Please plan accordingly with your missions, ministries and parishes. The church should provide the meat, typically pork or turkey, while everyone else brings a potluck style meal. The following days are to get rid of leftovers and whatever is not compatible with the fast. This year, we will practice the fast lightly in the Abbey. Firstly, abstentions from meat on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and also dairy. No oil throughout the Fasting period. Also I would like to let you know that while Saturdays and Sundays are no fasting days, they are days of Abstention, please remember this. If you are visiting someone and they offer you something that is not allowed, you will still eat it, for to be unhospitable towards those who offer you the gift of food, is to go against the teachings of Christ. We will also be seeking to refrain from digital time. Please limit ​TV watching to Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Fill the rest of your time with spiritual reading, prayer or writing. 

These are the basics of our fast this year. Please I know that some have medical ​issues and cannot fully participate. Please know that you ​have a dispensation from those things that you cannot do medically, but please get with me so that we can talk about what your spiritual plan is ​moving forward. 

Brothers, I ​hope you all have a very merry ​Martinmas and a productive and spiritually enlightening St. Martin's Fast. If you need anything please let me know, I am always here for you. 

In Christ, 

Br. Bartimaeus Cook, OSC
Abbot-Elect
Abbey of St. Cuthbert
Order of St. Columba of Iona