Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2016 | Page 28

Photo: The new abbot is greeted by other abbots and by a few senior
religious including representative of the Church of England such as
Sr Rita-Elizabeth of the Sisters of Bethany (Southsea)

conclusion: “It seemed to me that if God really existed, then
these men had found the best way to live” - at which point
he announced to his family that this was the path he wanted
to pursue.
He admits it came as something of a surprise to them. “My
family knew I was very religious but they did not expect this.
I think perhaps they were a little concerned, but they wanted

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me to be happy and could see I was thriving”.
By the age of 22, Fr Xavier was ready to test his
commitment, and entered the Abbey of Sainte Anne de
Kergonan, a monastery founded by Solesmes in South
Brittany.
He says his thinking was: ‘If I don’t try now, I will never
know. If it doesn’t work I don’t have to stay’

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