Spirituality |

In light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic the Quest Retreat ("Do whatever he tells you"), due to take place at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in May, will not now take place. The Abbey announced on 19th March that the Guesthouse will be closed with effect from Monday 23rd March until further notice. This decision… Continue reading Quest Retreat Postponed

Empathy: softened hearts and hopes restored

“A healthy person cannot feel the pains of sickness, nor can one who is well-fed feel the pangs of hunger.” This passage, a popular saying of the time, is quoted by St Bernard (1090-1153) in his first teaching as abbot of Clairvaux (1119). It is a commentary on chapter seven of the Rule of St…… Continue reading Empathy: softened hearts and hopes restored

Quest 2019 Retreat: 17-19 May

Another highly enjoyable Quest annual retreat at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. A full report will appear in the Autumn Quest Bulletin. Photo courtesy of PaulContinue reading Quest 2019 Retreat: 17-19 May

Jesus spat on the ground

In many parts of the world, including the West, spitting is widely frowned upon as rude, a health hazard and a social taboo, while in other parts it is considered as socially acceptable. At the age of twelve my father’s job was at risk and the choice open to him was either to take the…… Continue reading Jesus spat on the ground

Rediscovering Jesus: Retreat for men

Retreat for Men: Calpe, Costa Blanca, 12 - 19 June 2019. The retreat will be led by Pádraig Ó Tuama Full costs for this year is: €495. (currently £440) Because of volatile exchange rates, the retreat is this year priced in euro. ONLY ONE PLACE REMAINING - but there is also a room vacant for a… Continue reading Rediscovering Jesus: Retreat for men

Quest 2018 Retreat

The retreat was deemed to have been a great success and worth repeating so the dates for next year’s retreat at the same venue have been booked (17th-19th May 2019). This year’s retreat was led by the Retreat Facilitator (and National Committee member), John Ashman. This was a last minute change as the member of…… Continue reading Quest 2018 Retreat

“Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness”

Do these words of Jesus offend our sense of justice and fairness? Jesus uses them in the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:2-14). Those invited to the banquet not only refuse to come, they make light of the invitation and even kill the king’s servants who delivered the invitations. So, the king sends…… Continue reading “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness”

Return to Walsingham 2017

We shall be returning to Walsingham this year, 6th-8th October and would be delighted if members can join us. The Shrine at Walsingham was built in 1061 as a memorial to the Annunciation, and was destroyed during the Reformation. In 1934, the restored Slipper Chapel re-opened as the RC National Shrine to our Lady and…… Continue reading Return to Walsingham 2017

My Prayer for Pentecost by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB

The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none. On this great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God, I invite you to pray with me: May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring fire to…… Continue reading My Prayer for Pentecost by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB

Portraits in Faith: Michael B Kelly

Michael B Kelly is an openly gay, Catholic Australian scholar and spiritual director and writer on gay spirituality (“Seduced by Grance”). His doctoral research on spirituality and contemporary gay experience was entitled: “Queer Flame of Love: re-imagining the Christian mystical tradition in light of the experience of contemporary gay men.” On facebook this week, he…… Continue reading Portraits in Faith: Michael B Kelly