It is a special birthday for Fr Abbot this Monday 20 April. If you would like to send him a personal message or greeting, we would be very pleased to pass it on:- simply use our website contact page here.

But this year, there is something more pressing.

Fr Abbot has chosen to mark his birthday by highlighting a vocations appeal at a decisive moment for the monastery.

Monastic vocations are not declining here - they are increasing. Two men from the UK have become novices in recent months, another is in discernment, and more enquiries are coming forward. Sometimes, these include men from poorer backgrounds, including Latin America, who feel a genuine call to the Benedictine life but simply do not have the means to begin the journey.

At the same time, we are now facing a very practical reality: we are running out of space to receive them.

This is a rare position for a monastery to be in, but it brings responsibility. If vocations are coming, they must be supported. If men are called, they must be able to respond.

Fr Abbot’s vocations appeal is focused on making that possible:-helping to support new entrants, including those without financial means, and enabling the monastery to grow to meet this need.

If you can help, this is the moment to do so.

If you cannot, your prayers matter just as much.

We will do whatever The Holy Spirit directs. 

If you can, please support the appeal here.

Thank you.

God give you peace.