Adrian’s Next Step
Adrian’s Next Step This piece was originally appeared in the Harpenden parish magazine, Link. Adrian has recently taken his next...
12/02/2018
The Alongsider programme functions much in the same way as a postulancy would for those who feel a sense of calling to the monastic life. It would be the first in a series of traditional stages of discernment lasting several years. If after several months you wish to take your commitment further, and the Abbot and community agree you may have a calling, you can request to become a novice. This lasts anywhere between 20 months and 4 years. This might then be followed by Profession in Simple Vows, and after 3 years to Solemn Vows for life.
The first step is to contact the Abbot and arrange to visit and/or stay with the community, and to join us in our work and prayer. If that visit goes well a subsequent visit will normally be arranged. If after two or three visits you still feel the attraction and the Community agrees, you will be invited to identify a period when you can be free from work and other responsibilities to come and take up life as an Alongsider. Though the notional period may be from six months to a year, the commitment will be reviewed on both sides a month at a time.
Some basic requirements that we ask are:
1. You should be between 20 and 45 years old.
2. You should be in robust physical and mental health. The community must be assured you can respond to the demands of our life and contribute in practical ways to the running of the monastery.
3. Since life in the monastery pre-supposes an attitude of obedience, you must be able to life with good-will towards authority.
4. Life in the monastery is celibate and largely spent on site.
5. Those who go on to test a vocation to the monastic life need to be free from debt (this does not include Student Loans).
For further information, questions or to make an initial enquiry please write to us at: Mucknell Abbey, Mucknell Farm Lane, Stoulton, Worcestershire, WR7 4RB or email the Abbot at abbot@mucknellabbey.org.uk
Br Stuart on vocation
Br Stuart on his vocation & monastic life This text originally appeared in Frank Monaco’s Brothers and Sisters: Glimpses of...
12/02/2018
Being a Benedictine outside the monastery
What does it mean to be a Benedictine outside the monastery? We asked the Rev’d Sacha Slavic, a close friend...
21/05/2018
Thrones for the Mystery: Timothy Radcliffe OP on monasteries
An excerpt from a talk given by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP to the Congress of Abbots at San Anselmo in...
26/05/2018
New and Traditional Monasticism: A Dialogue
In March 2018 a small group of leaders of new monastic and emerging communities met with the Mucknell Abbey Community...
20/06/2018
Br Michaël on The Iconostasis Programme
A year ago exactly (well, more or less) I had the privilege of attending a week-long Icon course led by...
29/06/2018
FAQ: What do you do all day?
30/06/2018
FAQ: What is your work?
30/06/2018
Jessica’s Journey
When asked to share one’s journey with God, it can sometimes be hard to know where to begin, especially as...
30/08/2018
Fr Bede Griffiths on St Benedict
This call to be a monk is really universal. We speak of the archetype of the monk. Every human being...
15/02/2020
Obum’s Journey
In May 2021 Obum, a member of the Community of St Anselm, spent two weeks at Mucknell Abbey to deepen...
13/06/2021
Monastic Professions
The Community are pleased to announce that Novice Sr Jessica has been elected to First Vows. Sr Jessica has been...
08/11/2021
Sr Jessica’s Simple Profession
On Saturday 4th December, under a clear blue sky, the Community – together with her friends, family and visiting Religious...
14/12/2021
Sermon for the Solemn Profession of Br. Adrian
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. When a member of this community makes his...
20/10/2022
Br. Adrian’s Solemn Profession
On Wednesday 28th September, the Community, along with friends, family and visiting Religious from a number of communities, joined together...
20/10/2022
March 2023 Digest
We've been enjoying the signs of Spring around us: plentiful daffodils, blossom just about ready to show itself on the plum and pear trees in the Orchard, and sowing the first seeds in the Kitchen Garden.
01/04/2023