We journey to Inkamana Abbey in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Founded as a Benedictine mission in 1922, Inkamana has grown into a monastic and educational centre, running a boarding school alongside workshops, farming, hospitality and retreat ministry. In a country where Christianity is widespread but Catholics remain a relatively small minority, the abbey has spent more than a century putting Benedictine prayer, work and service into practice.
When the Bell Rang: The 1500th Benedictine Jubilee Launch at Inkamana Abbey
by Fr Francis Kuutondokwa
It began with the sound of a bell.
On 11 July 2026, as we gathered in front of the Abbey Church to celebrate the Solemnity of our Holy Father Benedict, our largest bell suddenly rang out across the Abbey grounds. For thirty seconds, its deep, familiar sound filled the air. But on this occasion, the bell seemed to be saying something more: Wake up! Pay attention! Something new is beginning.
When the ringing stopped, we entered into silence. For a brief moment, there was no distraction. We stood in prayer, listening and becoming aware of the significance of what was happening. We were launching our journey towards a remarkable milestone: the 1500th Jubilee of the founding of Montecassino in 529, which will be celebrated in 2029.
The four years ahead have been given four simple but powerful themes:
2026: Awaken
2027: Listen with the ear of the heart
2028: Grow in stability and conversion
2029: Flourish as vibrant communities of peace and hope
And so, our first task is to awaken.
After the silence, Abbot Boniface Kamushishi stood before the closed doors of the church and knocked three times with his crozier. Then, from inside, the doors were opened. It was a simple, ancient gesture, but its meaning was impossible to miss.
A closed door became an open door; an ending became a beginning. We were being invited to enter a new chapter - not only physically into the church, but spiritually into a journey of renewal.
Inside the side chapel, another symbol awaited us. Before the beautifully decorated statue of our Holy Father Benedict, a Jubilee candle was lit. As the flame came to life, it seemed to remind us that the light handed on by St. Benedict through fifteen centuries has never gone out. It continues to burn in monasteries, communities and in the hearts of countless men and women who seek God in the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.
The ceremony was modest, with no elaborate speeches or grand celebrations. Yet, perhaps precisely because of its simplicity, it touched us deeply. It made us think about what a Jubilee really means.
It is tempting to think of a Jubilee as an opportunity to celebrate the past - to remember Montecassino, St. Benedict and the generations of Benedictines who have gone before us. And certainly, we have much for which to be grateful. But the Jubilee is also looking directly at us. What does God ask of us today? How can we renew our vocation? What needs to be awakened within us? These are questions we will carry with us throughout the four years ahead.
At the end of the Mass, each participant received a certificate of attendance. It was more than proof that we had been present; it carried a deeper meaning. It was a reminder: I was there. I shared in this moment. I am part of this journey. For many, it became a tangible souvenir of a day that marked the beginning of our journey towards the 1500th Benedictine Jubilee.
The certificates also grew out of our desire to find creative ways of bringing the Jubilee closer to people. We recognise that not everyone has the opportunity to visit many monasteries and convents that form part of our Benedictine family, especially because of distance, time, and financial constraints. So, in our own small way, we looked for a simple way of bringing the Jubilee closer to each person.
The certificate became more than a souvenir; it became a reminder that the Jubilee is not only about places we visit, but about the journey we make within ourselves and with one another. Wherever we are, we can pause, give thanks, reconnect with our Benedictine roots and rediscover the joy of belonging to this beautiful Benedictine family in our own time. Since the day of the Jubilee launch, we have been giving certificates to everyone who visits our monastery. This allows the Jubilee to travel beyond the monastery walls, becoming a personal memory and a reminder that each person who visits us has a place in this celebration of our Benedictine heritage.
The following day, Sunday 12 July, our wider Benedictine family added another beautiful note to the celebration. Our Oblates, who had spent the weekend with us, gathered to renew their annual oblation promises. Their presence was a joyful reminder that the Benedictine spirit does not stop at the monastery gates. Through our Oblates, it reaches into many different lives and communities.
As we look towards 2029, we know that the journey will be much more than a countdown to a historic anniversary. It is a journey of the heart. We entrust it to the Lord, praying that these years will be a time of renewed faith, deeper listening, sincere conversion and fresh hope. May they strengthen our community and help us rediscover the joy of being Benedictine people in our own time.
The bell has rung.
The doors have opened.
The candle is burning.
Now it is our turn to awaken.
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