Stanbrook Abbey, set in the shadow of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, is a community of Benedictine nuns who seek to share Saint Benedict's experience in searching for God of infinite light and mystery.
History
Summer 1623, a small group of eight young women sailed from England to the
Continent in search of a monastic life that was denied to them in their home
country. Since the dissolvement of monastaries under Henry VIII, religious
persecution was still rife in England, especially for women.
The women were accompanied by two gentlemen during their travels. In 1621 Dom Benet Jones, a monk working in England started to make plans for a new foundation abroad for the group of young women. He secured financial funding and support from Cresacre More, the great-grandson of St Thomas More whose daughter, Helen More (later Dame Gertrude) was one of the eight and subsequently became chief foundress.
By September 1623, the group reached Cambrai in the Low Countries and was joined by a ninth postulant, Catherine Gascoigne who later became the foundation's first Abbess. By Christmas, the community took up residence and chose the title for the foundation, Our Lady of Consolation.
On New Year's Day 1625, after spending twelve months in training, the group of nine women took their solemn vows.
The foundation grew from strength to strength but in 1793 during the French Revolution they suffered imprisionment and fatalities. In 1795 the remaining group returned to England and finally settled into a permanent home at Stanbrook in 1838.
Father Laurence Shepherd's years of devoted service to the community saw
the building of the abbey church, designed by Edward Welby Pugin and was inaugurated
by consecration in 1871. Its Gothic Revival tower is a familiar local landmark.
The eight bells in the tower belfry mark the daily round of liturgical services,
from Vigils to Compline.
In September 2006, the community numbered 25, including two juniors and a postulant, with around 120 lay people, known as oblates (non-resident) associated with the monastary.
The Abbey grounds include 21 acres of land and a private retreat house, St Mary's. The Abbey is also home to the oldest private printing press in England. Established in 1876 it is the only private press from the nineteenth century to be working in the twenty-first.
Daily Life
Each day begins with an hour of solitary prayer
and reading. Six times a day, the community gathers together in church
for worship. Mass is the most important liturgical act of the day. Lauds
is sung at sunrise. Vespers (evening prayer) is sung in traditional Latin
plainsong and the day ends with Compline (night prayer). Meals are kept
simple, with “frugality being observed in everything”.
In addition to the daily household tasks, the community meet together once a day for half an hour recreation; a time to relax, share news and cultivate the art of friendship. Various arts and crafts are practised including painting, printing and vestment making. The abbey community numbers musicians, writers and translators. There is a growing involvement in youth work and special care.
It takes five and a half years to become a solemnly professed nun.
The Future
Despite being at home in Stanbrook for over 160 years, a change is on the way.
Back in April 2002, the community decided to move to a new home to make best use of their human and financial resources. At the end of 2004, the purchase of Crief Farm, near Wass in North Yorksire was completed. With the help of architects and consultants, the Benedictine nuns have embarked on designing a modest, 21st century monastery.
For the latest information about the future plans, please visit the Stanbrook Abbey website.
Contact Details
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STANBROOK ABBEY Callow End Worcester WR2 4TD |
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01905 830209 |
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