Mother Karol ‘full of hope for the future’

A Cork woman has become the 20th abbess to be blessed at Kylemore Abbey in Galway this week.

Elected to the role on 25 September, the Archbishop of Tuam, His Grace Francis Duffy, blessed Mother Karol O’Connell OSB as part of mass in the Monastic Church in the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore Abbey.

Kylemore’s Benedictine Community were joined by abbots and abbesses from the Benedictine world as well as local clergy, and Mother Karol’s family and friends in celebrating the day. The homily was preached by Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath.

Speaking on the occasion of the blessing, Mother Karol O’Connell said: “Today is a day filled with joy and gladness, which leaves me full of hope for the future.”

Raised in Midleton, Mother Karol was educated by the Presentation Sisters and went on to study music in the Liszt Academy, Hungary. She entered the monastery on 11 July 1978, the Feast of St Benedict. Much loved by her many music students over the past four decades, Mother Karol has been community organist, choir mistress, cook, gardener, artist, and has published a series of music literacy books as well as holding the office of prioress for 16 years.

The Office of Abbess is a twelve-year term and with Prioress, Sr Jeanne Bott, and the support of the entire Benedictine Community at Kylemore Abbey, Mother Karol hopes to continue the legacy of Kylemore’s twenty previous abbesses and to build and grow the community in a peace-filled and joyful way.