Help us to pass on our faith and our
heritage to future generations
St Michael's
Abbey in
Farnborough,
Hampshire is
unique. The
finest example of
French religious
architecture in
the UK; the
Imperial
Mausoleum and resting place of the last French
Emperor, Napoleon III and his family and home to
a community of brothers of the Benedictine Order,
part of the international Benedictine Congregation
of Subiaco.
All this is thanks to the legacy
of the late Empress Eugénie
of France. She left a gift that
continues to inspire and
encourage future generations
of people of faith and those of
no faith, who come across this
haven of tranquillity and
Catholic spirituality.
For those who regularly
worship at the Abbey, the
tradition and quality of the
worship is second to none.
The richness of the Latin
Mass and Gregorian Chant attracts worshippers from
across the UK and beyond. The setting for it is the
magnificent Grade-1 listed chapel, designed by the
architect Gabriel Hippolyte Destailleur. Yet despite its
magnificence, it is, first and foremost, a place of
prayerful worship. Dom Cabrol, our first abbot, put it
well. "What you see before your eyes," he said, "is no
mere monument to the glories that once belonged to
France, but is built of greater stones - those of the
daily sacrifice of Christian Prayer."
The need today
However, St Michael's Abbey and its community could not continue to exist, if it
were not for the generosity of
individuals and groups that
regularly support its mission
and ministry. With the cost of
maintaining the Abbey,
community and grounds
exceeding £300,000 pa, it is a
major challenge facing the
brothers.
In recent times they have implemented measures to
cut costs, as well as providing considerable income
from their own labours in the book-bindery,
publishing and farming enterprises. But your help is
needed too.
One of the most effective ways in which you can
make a significant contribution to the work of the
Abbey is through leaving a gift in your Will. Just as
the Empress Eugénie left a lasting legacy, you too
can help to ensure that future generations will
benefit from the worship and ministry of St
Michael's Abbey.
By using the links on the right hand side of this
page, you can find out more about how to leave a
gift in your Will to St Michael's Abbey and the huge
difference you can make in doing so.
Many of our supporters would like to do more for us
in their lifetime, but family, domestic and other
commitments do not allow them to do this.
By leaving a gift in your Will, you can continue to
provide real support and encouragement for the
future, yet it won’t cost you a penny in the present.
For further information or comments please
contact 