Hospitality 1

Hospitality At Minster Abbey

Since the early days of St. Mildred, in the 7th century, hospitality has been an important aspect of monastic life at Minster Abbey. We have recently celebrated the opening of our Bethany Wing, and in 2007 we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the sisters coming to Minster from St. Walburga’s Eichstaat. Our sisters have been reflecting on the various aspects of Benedictine hospitality.

Welcome of Bethany

Sr. Aelred shares from her experience as guest sister. “St. Benedict tells us that each person who comes to a monastery is to be welcomed as Jesus. Our Bethany Wing reminds us of this reality. Martha Mary and Lazarus were the special friends of Jesus, and welcomed him to their home at Bethany. It is often said that Mary of Bethany who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened so attentively to him, was also the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and who stood at the foot of the cross.

On a prayer board near the chapel are written the names of family and friends, strangers and neighbours, who have requested our prayer. We hold the suffering of each person in our hearts before God, especially in community prayer.

The Documents of the Vatican Council stated of the contemplative, ‘In solitude where they are devoted to prayer, contemplatives are never forgetful of their brothers and sisters. They share to a more universal degree the fatigue, the pain and the hopes of all.’ This is at the heart of our hospitality. Although enclosed we do not stand aloof from the world and its needs.

We welcome many thousands of people each year as visitors in our Guest House and day groups, but our primary outreach is by means of a hidden life of prayer and intercession. Our prayer is that each of our guests who come to our monastery may discover something of the mystery of the indwelling presence of God.”

Sr. Aelred

A Living Community or An Ancient Monument?

Part of our ministry of hospitality is that we show visitors around and tell our story up to the present day. Sr. Benedict tells us about her experience of giving this tour.

“Some years ago I approached a group of visitors and noticed the look of amazement on the face of one of the ladies. ‘Oh’, she exclaimed, ‘I thought you were just an ancient monument’. We both laughed! Yes, we are an ancient monument, our existing buildings go back to 1027, and foundation even earlier to 670, but we also live here as a community. By the end of the tour she was animated and grateful to find us alive and kicking. Her amazement seemed to have increased! Some of our visitors come mainly to view the ancient monument, from an educational, historical or even archaeological perspective. Others come to find peace and to pray in the chapel at the end of the tour. Sometimes, for the sister who welcomes the visitor, it is about telling the same story over and over, but for the recipient it is always fresh and amazing. This makes it all worth while, being able to share not only a place but what lies at
the heart of it and beyond it. We invariably find that visitors stop at the area in the garden where St. Mildred was buried and say ‘Isn’t it peaceful here!’ and yes, it is the peace of Christ being received over the centuries that still touches the hearts of countless men, women and children who come in search of more than a pile of stones, striking though they are.”

Sr. Benedict

Friendship As Hospitality

Our guests and visitors comprise such varied groups. Sr. Mary Magdalene reflects the importance of welcoming our friends.

“Although many of us don’t see our friends very often, they are an important part of our lives, and they enrich our lives both individually and as a community. Our friends appreciate the time we give them, our interest in their lives as well as being able to offer them our experience from a life devoted to prayer in community. Some may come only for an hour or two, but these contacts are mutually enriching. There are also friendships made with frequent guests, those who come to share our liturgy, or those who work with us. These friendships, as in all our friendships allow us to share in God’s love for us; sharing this love with one another.”

Sr. Mary Magdalene

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