The Cloister - A podcast from Monastic Retreats

National Retreat Week - renew:all runs from the 21-28 Sept and is new initiative for individuals, churches and groups to promote contemplation, prayer and retreat in a variety of Christian traditions.   National Retreat Week is managed and coordinated by the Royal Foundation of St Katharine in East London and supported by The Retreat Association, The Association for Promoting Retreats, Archway and...

Father Henry talks in this podcast about the link between communal and private prayer, highlighting devotions such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and Eucharistic Adoration. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In this episode Fr William talks about how the cycle of prayer in the monastery gives shape and rhythm to our day, to our year, and to our lives. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

In a noisy and busy world, times for at least some quiet in the day are essential. Br Justin talks here about the importance of silence in our lives. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Praying isn't always easy. In this podcast, Father Columba from Glenstal Abbey continues our series on prayer by sharing  about various difficulties we can encounter in prayer and he then offers some advice on how to overcome them. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

What does it mean to pray continuously? Abbot Brendan talks about making our lives into a prayerful, frequent and deep connection with God. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Father Fintan talks in this podcast about our 'inherited instinct' for prayer, recognising how all creation is capable of praising God. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Today we are continuing our new series entitled ‘teach us  to pray’.   Father John from Glenstal Abbey shares some thoughts on different styles and ways of praying. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

Today we are starting a new series here on our podcast entitled ‘teach us  to pray’.   With current world events and a growing sense of helplessness in the midst of global turmoil, this series again from our friends at Glenstal Abbey is both timely and important. Today Father Christopher starts this series by considering how the act of prayer itself is a raising of the mind and heart to God.  Send...

The Jesus Prayer is a simple prayer “ Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner .”  The tradition of the Jesus Prayer goes back to the “prayer of the mind,” recommended by the ancient monks of the Egyptian desert. It was continued as the “prayer of the heart” in Byzantine Hesychasm, a monastic system that seeks to achieve divine quietness. There are many ways to approach this ancie...

This is the final part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.    In today’s episode Br Oscar gives an interesting take on sustainability and the stewardship of goods in the monastery according to Benedict's Rule.    I would like to say a huge thank you to the community at Gelnstal Abbey for their wonderful reflections over the last few months. If you...

This liturgical year we are being joined by Fr Oswald from Ampleforth Abbey. In this seasonal extra episode of ‘The Cloister’ he shares some reflections on the season of Pentecost. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the penultimate part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.     In today’s episode Br Timothy examines what the Rule has to say about care for the brethren: nourishing the young and caring for the aged so that all may live, pray, work and die together within the community's embrace.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.u...

Join us for a conversation on spiritual journalling. To order your own copy of our 'Ora Et Labora' ordinary time journal visit https://mixam.co.uk/print-on-demand/662b91e38b90094ce52f1023?   Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the eighth part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.   In today’s episode Fr John considers the place of Work in the Rule.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the seventh part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.    In today’s episode Abbot Brendan considers the subject of Food and Drink. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the sixth part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.  In today’s episode Fr Jarek examines Saint Benedict's notion of 'Good Zeal' . Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This liturgical year we are being joined by Fr Oswald from Ampleforth Abbey. In this seasonal extra episode of ‘The Cloister’ he shares some reflections on the season of Easter. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the fifth part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.  If you haven’t listened to the previous episodes you may wish to start there although every episode does stand on its own.    In today's episode  Fr Martin talks about the place of prayer in the Rule of Saint Benedict Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

This is the fourth part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.  If you haven’t listened to the previous episodes you may wish to start there although every episode does stand on its own.     In this episode Father Christopher examines the place of Hospitality in the Rule of Saint Benedict. I hope these gentle reflections continue to be a blessing to you. ...

This is the third part in our series on ‘The Rule of Saint Benedict’ led by the monks of Glenstal Abbey.  If you haven’t listened to the previous episodes you may wish to start there. We began the series by looking at the prologue of the Rule and then the role of the Abbot.     This week Father Henry looks at Chapter 7 of the rule which is the longest chapter of the Rule and is on Humility.  Send...

We usually release episodes every fortnight but as today is the start of Lent we want to share with you the following reflections from Fr Oswald who is a monk at Ampleforth Abbey. If you have visited our website recently you will know that Fr Oswald is sharing seasonal reflections for us throughout this liturgical year. These are wonderful short reflections that give a bit of the history and the l...

This week Father Patrick, a former Abbot of Glenstal Abbey, talks about the role of Abbot according to the Rule of Saint Benedict. Next time Father Henry will be sharing on Humility in the Rule. Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk

For the next few months we are going to be joined by the monks of Glenstal Abbey as they share on the Rule of Saint Benedict. These shorter episodes will Explore various chapters and themes of the Rule of Saint Benedict to discover the wisdom and relevance this sixth-century document has for the twenty-first century today and not just for those who live in a monastery. In today’s episode Fr Columb...

A rule of life isn’t actually about a set of rules you have to follow, rather it is about intentionally crafting a rhythm, and pace of life that allows you to more fully reflect the person God has called you to be.     At the start of this new year, why not prayerfully consider crafting your own rule of life.       Send us Fan Mail Support the show www.monasticretreats.co.uk