The Cloister – A podcast from Monastic Retreats

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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, consultancy and research on character strengths- the beautiful qualities of character like wisdom, humility and gratitude- that lead to human flourishing.

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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

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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. 

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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 others working to promote Christian retreat and spiritual growth and wellbeing.
 
 to find out more you can visit renewall.org.uk
 
Throughout retreat week we will be sharing some of their wonderful resources here on our podcast. Today John Bell,  a widely renowned retreat leader, speaker and hymn-writer who worked with the Iona Community for over 40 years reflects on 2 Kings 5: 1-14: and shares on what this story may mean for our own renewal.
 
May it be a blessing to you. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What does it mean to pray continuously? Abbot Brendan talks about making our lives into a prayerful, frequent and deep connection with God.

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Father Fintan talks in this podcast about our 'inherited instinct' for prayer, recognising how all creation is capable of praising God.

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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.

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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. 

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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 ancient and simple form of prayer. Here Canon Robin Morrison shares a little about the prayer and then leads us in a guided practice. We pray it is a practice that blesses you.

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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 would like to find out more about Glenstal Abbey you can visit their website at glenstal.com

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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.

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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. 

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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?  

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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. 

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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.

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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' .

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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 liturgy behind each liturgical season. 
 
 You may also be interested in a brand new podcast that we have available to download entitled lent 2024, throughout Lent we will be releasing short passages form the gospel of John for your own time of Lectio Divina, this podcast is available wherever you get your usual podcasts.

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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.

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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 Columba shares on the prologue. Future episodes will include reflections on the abbott, humility, hospitality, prayer, zeal, food and drink, work, caring for others and stewardship.

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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. 
  
 

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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 life. It will be a great episode to begin a new year. 

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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 information about brother Cassian who led this retreat visit our website at www.monasticretreats.co.uk/thecloister
 
The final part of this retreat will be released a little earlier than usual so you can enjoy it before the rush of Christmas. May this episode be a place of calm and peace in your advent season.

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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 peace in your advent season.

For more information on Br Cassian you can visit his website at
http://www.waymarkministries.com/ 

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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 find pictures of the art work referenced at our website.

May this episode be a gentle welcome into a new way to celebrate and consider the advent season. 

For more information on Br Cassian you can visit his website at
http://www.waymarkministries.com/ 

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David shares what you can expect from the cloister, full episodes will launch Advent 2023. 

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