Send us a text Simon Sleeman OSB concludes a series of three talks from Advent 2023 with 'Advent: the 'Call Room' for Christmas.' Thank you to the monks of Glenstal Abbey for these wonderful reflections. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text In the second of three talks from Advent 2023, John O'Callaghan OSB from Glenstal Abbey urges us to "Prepare the Way for the Lord!" www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text In the first of three talks by the monks of Glenstal Abbey (taken from Advent 2023), Columba McCann OSB speaks on the theme of 'Stay Awake, Stay Alive!' www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text Today I am joined by Graham Stevens author of our 2024 Advent devotional. We discuss the spiritual practice of pilgrimage alongside explaining a little more about our devotional which is available now. Links British Pilgrimage Trust Journeys- An Advent Devotional www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetrea…

Send us a text In today's episode I share an interview I recently did with Paul Hammond from UCB radio. In this episode we discuss the benefits of going on a retreat as well as talking about how Monastic Retreats came to be. I pray it is a blessing to you. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/…

Send us a text In today’s episode I am joined by Dave Ward to discuss the enneagram. The enneagram is a self understanding tool that can be used to give us insight into our gifts, vices and personality traits as well as giving us insight into how spiritual practices can help best to nourish our unique individual souls. - Dave's Instagram - The Esse…

Send us a text Our podcast series on prayer concludes with this reflection by Father Martin on praying with the Psalms. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text Br Jarek speaks in this podcast about the importance and centrality of Lectio Divina - 'Divine Reading' - in the monastic life. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text Explore finding renewal through prayer in everyday life and on retreat through this personal reflection from Kemi Bamgbose. Kemi is the Project Lead for global, ecumenical prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come and is also a writer & journalist with a passion for retreats. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRe…

Send us a text Today’s reflection explores how to find replenishment in God, living in a way that brings health to body, mind and spirit. Dr Roger Bretherton is Programme Director for the Professional Diploma in Positive Health in the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He conducts extensive training, co…

Send us a text This week is national retreat week and we are sharing some of their wonderful resources here on our podcast. Today Danny Curtin shares on ‘renewal of the church. For more information on renew all visit their website at www.renewall.org.uk www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/mon…

Send us a text A reflection on renewal from Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE for National Retreat Week - renew:all. Find more reflections and retreat resources, places to retreat and more at www.renewall.org.uk. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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 A…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticret…

Send us a text What does it mean to pray continuously? Abbot Brendan talks about making our lives into a prayerful, frequent and deep connection with God. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text Father Fintan talks in this podcast about our 'inherited instinct' for prayer, recognising how all creation is capable of praising God. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text 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 …

Send us a text 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 achiev…

Send us a text 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 …

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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. www.…

Send us a text 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? www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh Monastic Retreats

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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' . www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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 www.monasticretr…

Send us a text 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…

Send us a text 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 i…

Send us a text 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 won…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreats…

Send us a text 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 jus…

Send us a text 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. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/t…

Send us a text In this concluding episode Br Cassian explores the wider Celtic year and looks at some other historical Christmas time celebrations. He concludes by takes us through a beautiful liturgy for the winter solstice. We will be back on Monday 8th January with an episode with author Steve Macchia on how to craft our own personal rule of lif…

Send us a text In this penultimate session Br Cassian encourages us to reflect on the coming of Christ at the end of all things. He prompts us to think about those people in our lives who have had an impact and influence on our spiritual formation before sharing two monastic Celtic practices to help us to live lives that inspire others. For more in…

Send us a text Join Br Cassian as we continue this four part retreat around the theme of 'Celtic Advent'. Last week we explored together the importance of the incarnation as the first coming of Christ into our world. Today, in this episode we will be exploring the second coming of Christ into our own lives. May this episode be a place of calm and p…

Send us a text Join Br Cassian as we begin this four part retreat around the theme of 'Celtic Advent'. Together we will begin to explore how the ancient Celts celebrated advent. We will also consider some beautiful art work and legends, including the Chi Rho pages of ancient illuminated manuscripts and the legend of Saint Brigid of Kildare. You can…

Send us a text David shares what you can expect from the cloister, full episodes will launch Advent 2023. www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister/ www.facebook.com/MonasticRetreats/ www.instagram.com/monasticretreatsOleh David Towns