Monastic Life at Minster Abbey

Monastic Life at Minster Abbey

During his lifetime St. Benedict founded many monasteries. Though his own monastery at Monte Casino was destroyed, his spirit has lived on through the Rule he wrote, and in the lives of his monks. A monastery is a school of charity, and a place where we learn to love God with our whole being. This school of love is a place where our hearts are gradually being transformed into the likeness of God. This is the simple unique goal of the monastic life. Our vocation in the Church is to witness to the world that God is the centre of our life. It is a balanced, yet demanding way of life that leads us to pursue life to the fullest.

We believe that as we grow closer to God, we become more aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters. Although enclosed, we do not stand aloof from the world and its needs. Our primary outreach is by means of a hidden life of prayer and intercession.

“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”

Vatican Documents

Through the Rule of Our Holy Father, St. Benedict, we are given a practical framework for following the Gospel. The Benedictine vows of Stability, the Monastic Way of Life and Obedience invite us to listen with open hearts to the voice of the Lord who is calling us. The contemplative life finds its place at the very heart of the Church.
There are at present 21 Benedictine Congregations throughout the world, all grouped in one Confederation. St. Mildred’s Priory at Minster Abbey belongs to the English Province, of the Subiaco Congregation.

Life of Prayer and Praise

Life today at Minster, as in the early days of St. Mildred, is deeply rooted in prayer. Interior prayer and liturgical prayer lie at the heart of the contemplative life. It is through the celebration of the liturgy, reflection on the scriptures, (lectio divina) and in silent adoration that we are called to grow into a deep intimacy with Jesus Christ who is the centre of our lives.

Lectio Divina

The opening words of St. Benedict’s Rule speak of the importance of listening. The monastic tradition of lectio divina is a way of prayerfully listening to the Word of God. Each day, a time is set aside for each sister to reflect on the scriptures, or other spiritual writings. This provides the foundation of prayer, and is an important tool for monastic conversion.

The Eucharist

The Eucharist which is celebrated each day is the source and summit of our life. In the Eucharist we receive Christ himself, the gift of God par excellence, in Word and Sacrament. He is what we are meant to become-loving sons and daughters of the Father. The word “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. As we respond to God’s gift by giving thanks with our entire lives, we are united with the whole church and renew our thanksgiving and our self-offering.

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