The Cloister - A podcast from Monastic Retreats

In the third in our series from Fr Simon he shares on the challenge to not grow familiar with what surrounds us and to be open to see things with fresh appreciation.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In the second in this series from Fr Simon Sleeman, Simon shares his daily morning practice. If you have ever wondered how a monk starts their day listen to this episode and find out.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Simon Sleeman OSB from Glenstal Abbey in Co Limerick Ireland talks about his experiences and recovery from depression. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In this episode Chris Whittington, from the School of Contemplative Life continues to share on the theme of Silence. Silence as our natural habitat. For more information on The School of Contemplative life you can visit their website here.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

If you receive our monthly email updates you will be aware that this month I reflected on the theme of silence. I wanted to extend this theme in our podcast for the next few weeks and could not think of anyone better to share on this than Chris Whittington from the School of Contemplative Life.   The School of contemplative life is a wonderful ministry that  hosts free online meditation sessions e...

Emmaus O'Herlihy OSB concludes our series for Lent with his talk 'The Loving Shepherd Who Enters Death'. We would like to thank our friends at Gelenstal Abbey for allowing us to share these reflections.  The painting Br Emmaus references can be found here .  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Simon Sleeman OSB's Lenten talk - ‘Unless the wheat grain dies… (John 12:20-33)’ Thank you to our friends at Glenstal Abbey for letting us share these wonderful messages.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Mark Patrick Hederman OSB from Glenstal Abbey gives the fourth talk in our Lenten series titled 'The Sacrament of Spring.' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Luke Macnamara OSB from Glenstal Abbey gives the third in our series of talks for Lent 2026: 'A New Remembering (John 2:13 -25).' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Brendan Coffey OSB presents the second in our series of talks for Lent 2026 - 'Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). For more information on Glenstal Abbey visit  https://glenstal.com/abbey/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Columba McCann OSB begins our series of talks for Lent 2026 with ‘The desert as threshold of the Garden of Paradise'. For more information on Glenstal Abbey visit https://glenstal.com/abbey/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Abbot Robert concludes this short series of reflections by exploring ' a life worth fighting for'. I would like to thank Fr Abbot and all the monks of Ampleforth for their contributions to our podcast. You can discover more of their home retreats and explore retreats they are hosting in person by visiting ampleforthabbey.org.uk  During Lent we will be releasing weekly episodes from our f...

Join Fr Robert from Ampleforth Abbey as he explores another question.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Abbot Robert from Ampleforth Abbey explores the question 'Why are we in this mess?'.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In the last of our series of talks for Advent, Columba McCann OSB presents 'Jesus our Emmanuel: Awakening to God's Presence.' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In the third part of our Advent series, Henry O'Shea OSB presents his talk: 'Coming to Zion Shouting for Joy.' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In the second talk of our Advent series, Jarek Kurek OSB speaks on 'Advent of Christ: A Chance for Renewal.' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Luke Macnamara OSB begins our Advent series with his talk 'The Promise of Advent.' Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Each year, the Church ends the annual liturgical cycle with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In this Home Retreat, Fr Oswald reflects on the history and significance of this great feast. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Cedd introduces St Augustine of Hippo. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Cedd discusses a sermon of the sixteenth century German Carthusian monk, Johannes Justus Landsperg, known as Lanspergius. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Cedd talks about the life and writings of the famous sixth century Palestinian monk and Abbot, St Dorotheus of Gaza. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Fr Cedd from Ampleforth Abbey continues his wonderful series on the writings of monastic men and women who have inspired him. Today he reflects on the Cistercian abbot Guerric of Igny.   Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Welcome back to the Cloister after our Summer break.  Our fortnightly podcast returns this Autumn with a series from Fr Cedd from Ampleforth Abbey entitled 'the cloud of witnesses'. Today's reflection consider St Aelred of Rievaulx. May these reflections be a blessing to you Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Today Fr Richard, from Ampleforth Abbey, shares on the theme of Joy.  This is the final episode of the Cloister for the moment. We may be back in September, until then have a peaceful and joy filled Summer.  Keep in touch at our website, monasticretreats.org Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk