Last week we reflected on Benedict’s words, “This message is now for you.”
This week we come to what follows. Benedict asks us to take up “the strong and noble weapons of obedience.”
It is striking language.
“This message is now for you, if you are willing to surrender your own will and take up the strong and noble weapons of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.”
– The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue
“Listen carefully, my son, to the guidance of your master. Open not only your ears but your heart. Receive these words willingly and put them into practice with faithfulness. In doing so, through the hard but life-giving work of obedience, you will return to the One from whom you have wandered through the neglect of disobedience.”
The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue 1
I was thrilled to recently come across ‘Monastayers’ on instagram, so much of their work echoes our own here. I wanted to share it with you here in case it is of interest.
Most people have never considered staying in a monastery — not because they wouldn’t want to, but because nobody told them they could.
Monastayers exist to bridge that gap. To connect young adults with Benedictine, Trappist, and Cistercian communities across the U.K. and Ireland — not as tourists, but as temporary members of the community.
You work alongside the monks and nuns. You eat with them. You follow their rhythm. And in doing so, something new begins.
Monastayers was started by a small team who visited Worth Abbey and came back different people: more centred, more open, more loving to themselves and to the world. We’re not monks or nuns — but we think what they have is worth sharing.
You can find out more about them here.
“Listen carefully, my son, to the guidance of your master. Open not only your ears but your heart. Receive these words willingly and put them into practice with faithfulness. In doing so, through the hard but life-giving work of obedience, you will return to the One from whom you have wandered through the neglect of disobedience.”
The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue 1
“Listen carefully, my son, to the guidance of your master. Open not only your ears but your heart. Receive these words willingly and put them into practice with faithfulness. In doing so, through the hard but life-giving work of obedience, you will return to the One from whom you have wandered through the neglect of disobedience.”
The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue 1
The English Benediction Congregation (EBC) yesterday (8 July) elected Abbot Robert Igo OSB, Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey, as Abbot President in succession to Abbot Christopher Jamison. The election took place at Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, County Galway, during the Congregation’s 100th General Chapter.
Abbot Robert Igo has been Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey since January 2021, and he will continue in that role while he also serves his four-year term of office as Abbot President. He had joined the monastic community at Ampleforth in August 1988. From 1996 until his election as abbot, he was a member of the small community of Ampleforth monks at the Monastery of Christ the Word in Macheke, Zimbabwe. He was Prior of that community from 2005-2021.
The General Chapter is a four-yearly gathering of the superiors and delegates of the English Benedictine communities around the world, along with the officials of the congregation.
The agenda for the Kylemore Abbey meeting also comprised reflections and discussions on a number of topics, including Vocation and Initial and Continuing Formation.
Please pray for Abbot Robert and the monastic community as he takes on this new role as Abbot President and continues to serve as Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey.
11-19 July 2026
Since 2023 The Lay Community of St Benedict (LCSB) have been organising a celebration of St Benedict, known as St Benedict Week, to coincide with his 11 July feast.
Our week of celebrations this year will consist of online talks, podcasts, blogs, in-person Community gatherings, and, excitingly this year, two study days in Norwich, and anyone is welcome to join us for our online daily Offices during St Benedict Week. We’re also happy to share other information about Benedictine celebrations during this time, and if you’re interested in praying with a Benedictine community, take a look here.
From Worth Abbey in Sussex
We are delighted to welcome our current group of interns, whose presence enriches our community. We are grateful to them for joining us. Speaking about their time here, one intern beautifully described the experience as ‘a peace the world cannot offer.’
Worth Abbey will run one programme in 2027; this will be from Monday 5th July to Friday 27th August. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining the monastic internship, please visit worthabbey.net/interns/ for more information.
St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth near Guildford will host a special public talk this September exploring the lives, works and enduring influence of Britain’s Poets Laureate.
The Laurel and the Lantern: A Reflective Journey Through Britain’s Poets Laureate will examine how writers from Wordsworth and Tennyson to Betjeman, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage have captured the spirit, struggles, beauty and aspirations of their age.
Presented by Rt Rev Dom Paulinus Greenwood OSB, Dr Jo Russell and Sheila Longman, the evening will combine poetry, literary insight and reflection in the peaceful surroundings of the Benedictine monastery’s Assisi Room.
The talk takes place on Friday 18 September 2026, 7.30pm–9pm, at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8QR.
Advance booking is essential. Tickets are available via www.TicketSource.com by searching “Chilworth Abbey” or at:
https://www.ticketsource.com/st-augustines-abbey-chilworth
Early bird tickets are available until 4 September at £12 per person or £10 each for groups of three. A small booking fee applies. All proceeds support the monastery.
