News

Ryde

Our dear friends the Benedictine nuns of St Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde were very keen to celebrate our abbot’s silver jubilee of profession, and so invited us to celebrate Mass and enjoy a festal recreation with them. The monastery band performed, and after a few sketches and songs, the abbot was interrogated through the grille about various events he had recently attended and news of our monasteries. A very good time indeed was had by all.  The friendship of the Abbess and nuns of Ryde is a great support to us and we greatly appreciate it.

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Holy Week

The Ceremonies of Holy Week went very well this year. We were pleased to have larger attendances than usual. There were no fatalities, and the music was lovely. A number of people travelled great distances to join our little monastic family for its celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection. We are grateful to them for their support.

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The Abbey and the First World War

A number of articles have appeared on local history Facebook pages in the last weeks concerning the First World War, and local participation in it. Questions about the Abbey and the Great War have encouraged us to post the following article.

On August 1st 1914, the day after Germany had declared war on Russia, the French Government mobilised its armed forces. Two days later the German ambassador in Paris delivered a note to the French authorities indicating that a state of war existed between their countries. On 4th August, England declared war on Germany.

The monks of Farnborough found themselves in a strange situation. As a result of anti-clericalism in France, the Laws of Associations, and the separation of Church and State, the monks were living in England in exile. When it came to the War however the monks were bemused when their call-up papers arrived in the post. Abbot Cabrol quipped, ‘So we are not welcome to live in France, but they do not mind us dying for France!’

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Fr Abbot’s Silver Jubilee

Fr Abbot Cuthbert celebrated his silver jubilee of profession on the weekend of Laetare Sunday. The original profession fell in the Octave of Easter, but the abbot decided to keep the anniversary in Lent by inviting friends to luncheon and to share the office and Mass of Laetare. At the Mass he sang the Suscipe and renewed his vows. There was a goodly number of friends from the Oxford Oratory and the bulk of the Norbertine community of Chelmsford as well as a contingent of French. All the English abbots of the Subiaco-Cassinese English province were present, and the Abbot of Pluscarden received the renewal of vows. Monks from Ealing and Douai were also present as guests.

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Organ Recitals 2014

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Lambs

At the time of writing this year’s Spring lamb count is up to four. Read more “Lambs” →