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Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters [online evening talk] – #7 St Benedict of Norcia

Saints, Scholars & Spiritual Masters 7 - St Benedict of Norcia
[online evening talk]

Thursday 3 December @7:30pm

The Saviour of Europe:
St Benedict & Benedictine Spirituality

Seventh of the online series: Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters

For the recording of this talk, please click here.

The seventh talk of Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters turns to the “Father of Western Monasticism” and his Rule of life, which  still guides religious life around the world 1,500 years later. Benedict fled Rome, with the degenerate and empty lifestyle that he found amongst his fellow students, to become a hermit in the hills outside the city. His saintliness soon attracted diverse followers, and set him on the path of establishing monastic communities and writing a Rule. Though these were not primarily centres of learning, Benedictine monasteries, and others following their example, became the repositories of learning and culture. Europe thus owes not only its monastic tradition to Benedict, but also the continuity of its development through the medieval era.

About the speaker:

Father Cassian Folsom, O.S.B., is the founding prior of the Monastery of San Benedetto, located in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of Saint Benedict. He was born in Massachusetts in 1955, and has been a monk since 1979 and a priest since 1984. Fr. Cassian studied music before joining the monastic community of Saint Meinrad in 1974. He has served as the pro-president of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at Sant’ Anselmo from 1997 to 2000. He founded his monastic community in Rome in 1998 and transferred it to Norcia in the year 2000. Father Cassian has been a consulter to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments since 2010, and is the author of numerous studies on Roman Catholic liturgy.

Next in the series:

10th December – St Francis of Assisi with Fr Gabriel Kyte, C.F.R.

For the flier, please click here

 

***Admission is free. We kindly request a donation to support the costs of our activities.***
Please register below:

 
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Events Retreats

The God Who Speaks [Lenten talks]

The God Who Speaks
[Lenten talks]

4, 11, 18, 25 March, 7:30pm 2020

A series of evenings in Lent reflecting on Scripture.

An initiative for the Year of Scripture on the 10th anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ‘Verbum Domini’.

Following the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales’ declaration of a Year of Scripture, we offer a series of 4 evenings during Lent, studying Benedict XVI’s ‘Verbum Domini’ and meditating on Scripture.

The sessions will be led by Barbara Mason, and will include some ‘lectio Divina’ and opportunities for discussion.
 
Please bring a Bible!
About the speaker:

Barbara Mason has been involved in faith formation for over twenty-five years in the UK where she currently resides, and internationally, giving retreats, talks, catechetical instruction and Bible Studies to young people and adults.

For more information about Barbara Mason, please click here.

Cost:

£5 (covers study booklet and refreshments)

Please register below:

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Events Talks

Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters [online evening talk] – #6 The Spanish Mystics

Saints, Scholars & Spiritual Masters 6 - St.s Theresa of Avila & John of the Cross
[online evening talk]

Thursday 19 November @7:30pm

The Spanish Mystics:
Life & Love in Jesus Christ

Sixth of the online series: Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters

For the recording of this talk, please click here

The sixth talk of Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters looks at two giants of the interior life: St Theresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. The profound mysticism of these two well-loved, Spanish saints did not detract from their pragmatic determinedness. Together, they reformed the Carmelite order in Spain, founding no less than 23 monasteries between them and effectively establishing the order of Discalced Carmelites. The hardships and difficulties they both endured in pursuing their vocation and in reforming their order were only met with a strength that was founded on their deep love for Christ, which was also the foundation of the great friendship between them.

About the speaker:

Fr Matthew Blake is a Carmelite priest. Originally from Ireland, he has lived and worked  in the UK for more than thirty years. His ministry has mainly involved retreat direction, for which he is well-known in the UK, and he has also worked in many different parishes.

A selection of Fr Blake’s talks can be found here.

Next in the series:

3rd December – St Benedict of Norcia with Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.

10th December – St Francis of Assisi with Fr Gabriel Kyte, C.F.R.

For the flier, please click here

 

***Admission is free. We kindly request a donation to support the costs of our activities.***
Please register below:

 
Categories
Events Talks

European Art through English Eyes [evening talk]

European Art
through English Eyes
[evening talk]

23 January, 7:30pm [2020]

John Ruskin's Travels on the Continent

Explore the Christian spirit of European art with a fascinating and colourful tour of the continent, through the eyes of John Ruskin

John Ruskin, the polymathic Victorian art and social critic, started out as an Evangelical chauvinist, celebrating the works of a school of British artists he described as his “Modern Painters”, especially J.M.W.Turner. But his developing interest in European architecture and art, centrally in Venice, challenged his provinciality and opened his imagination to the treasures of the Catholic Middle Ages and the society from which they had sprung. Throughout his winding and contradictory history of religious faith and doubt he persisted in arguing his belief that “all great art is praise”, and seeing it with the eyes of “faith and intense Christian feeling”.

About the speaker:

Keith Hanley studied English at Lincoln College, Oxford (MA, B.Litt). At Lancaster (Ph.D) he founded the Wordsworth Centre, which he directed from 1988-2000, and initiated the transfer of the John Howard Whitehouse Ruskin Collections from Bembridge school, directing the Ruskin Centre at Lancaster from 2000-2008. From 1994 he has co-edited the quarterly Nineteenth Century Contexts: An Interdisciplinary Journal (published by Routledge since 2002), currently with Alex Wettlaufer, University of Texas at Austin. He has held posts at a number of European universities and at Notre Dame, Indiana.

For more information about Prof. Hanley, please click here.

Cost:

£5 (tickets at the door)

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Events Talks

Gothic Architecture & the Metaphysics of Light [evening talk]

Gothic Architecture &
The Metaphysics of Light
[evening talk]

18 November, 7:30pm [2019]

The Gothic Architectural as an Expression of Faith

The Christian Philosophy and Science of the Medieval period produced the “Gothic” style, as an expression of the Catholic worldview

The medieval period in European history is sometimes described as an “age of Faith”. This era also saw the flowering of the Scholastic method in the universities that were established throughout the Christian world, and gave rise to philosophy, science, and arts founded on a Christian vision. This paper argues that this flowering of Christian thought also resulted in a distinctive architectural style, the so-called Gothic style, that continues to inspire and attract people. The recent tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris called our attention once more to the ingenuity and beauty of medieval architecture. Even in a secular world, the power of Gothic architecture remains, doing as their designers intended, which is to lead us to contemplate Him who created the world with all its complexity and majesty, and who yet “dwells in inaccessible light” (1 Tim 6:16).

About the speaker:

Father Lawrence Lew, O.P. was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia into an evangelical Protestant family. Fr Lawrence’s conversion to Catholicism began an on-going love for theology, apologetics, Catholic culture, music and the sacred arts. Fr Lawrence has a degree in English civil law from Leeds University. Entering the English Province of the Order of Preachers in 2005, Fr Lawrence was trained in Cambridge, Blackfriars in Oxford, and the Dominican House of Studies in Washington DC where he gained a license in Sacred Theology. He has served as assistant Catholic Chaplain to Edinburgh University, and he is currently assistant parish priest in London. Fr Lawrence lectures in Apologetics, and Mariology at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. Fr Lawrence enjoys photographing churches and sacred art, and his photos have been used online by major Catholic sites, and is seen in print internationally in newspapers, magazines, books, and CD covers. He has been called a “media missionary”, and he has given workshops and retreats in photography, evangelisation and digital media, and the theology of beauty.

For more information about Fr Lew, please click here.

Cost:

£5 (tickets at the door)

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Events Talks

Newman: A Heart to Heart [evening talk]

Newman:
A Heart To Heart
[evening talk]

24 October, 7:30pm [2019]

A Journey Through Neman's Life and Work

Bl. John Henry Newman will be canonised on 13th October. Explore his life and spirituality in this three-part talk.

John Henry Newman is the latest English person to be canonised. He is a figure of great importance for our time. Fr Laurence Gambella will explore Newman’s life and work, taking us on a three-part encounter with this great man:

  1. Newman’s Heart: the personal encounter with God – the affairs of the heart – are central to understanding this saint
  2. Newman’s Life: a sketch of Newman’s life and his spiritual journey
  3. Newman’s Relevance for Today: pointers for the hope that Newman can provide for the future
About the speaker:

Fr Laurence Gambella is a priest of Salford Diocese, hailing from Blackburn. He studied at Oxford University, the Pontifical Beda College in Rome and the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies. He serves as chaplain to the Catholic Medical Association and as Hospital Chaplain.

For more information about Michael Dopp, please click here.

Cost:

£5

 

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Events Talks

Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters [online evening talk] – #4 St Thomas Aquinas

St Thomas Aquinas

Saints, Scholars & Spiritual Masters 4 - St Thomas Aquinas
[online evening talk]

Thursday 22 October @7:30pm

The Answer is 43:
Aquinas on Life, the Universe & Everything

Fourth of the online series: Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters

For the recording of this talk, please click here.

The fourth talk of Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters will explore the spirituality of one of the Church’s greatest theologians: Thomas Aquinas. Known for his unique and massive synthesis of Catholic theology, Aquinas earned the title of “The Angelic Doctor” not just for his great learning, but for the wisdom and light he brought to the Church’s thinking. In this talk, Fr Richard Conrad, O.P. will focus particularly on the themes of being, freedom and friendship. As the greatest of God’s gifts, they are fundamental to this great saint’s spirituality.

About the speaker:

Richard Conrad studied chemistry at Cambridge, and after his doctorate joined the Dominican Friars. He has served as Prior in Cambridge and Leicester, and for 8 years was Novice Master of the Province. He taught dogmatic theology at Maryvale Institute part-time from 1992 to 2016, and from 2007 has been resident at Blackfriars, Oxford, where he teaches dogmatic theology and the thought of Thomas Aquinas, and is currently Director of the Aquinas Institute.

For more information about Fr Conrad, please click here.

Next in the series:

5th November – St Francis de Sales with Canon Scott Tanner, I.C.K.S.P.

19th November – Sts Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross with Fr Matthew Blake, O.C.D.

3rd December – St Benedict of Norcia with Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.

10th December – St Francis of Assisi with Fr Gabriel Kyte, C.F.R.

For the flier, please click here

 

Please register below:

 
Categories
Events Retreats

Holy Church & Her Priests [clergy retreat]

Holy Church & Her Priests
[clergy retreat]

27 April - 1 May [2020]

This event has been cancelled due to Covid-19

A five-day, silent retreat on the theme of the priest's relationship to the Church.

Through a traditional ecclesiology, spirituality and liturgy, the retreat will explore the relationship of the priest to the Church. It will focus on the importance of priestly sanctity for the welfare of Holy Mother Church.

Secular and religious clergy, deacons and seminarians welcome!

The retreat will be preached, with opportunity for individual spiritual direction.

Clergy are welcome to celebrate Mass individually at their own time, in Theodore House Oratory or St Peter’s Church.

Daily Holy Hour and Latin Compline.

Guided tour of the Stonyhurst College Historic Libraries and Old Chapel Museum: see more about the College’s Collections here.

All accommodation is en-suite and full board is included.

Ideal surroundings for a retreat: peaceful and beautiful!

Arrivals for 2pm; departures from 2pm.

See more about Theodore House here.

About the speaker:

Fr de Malleray has fifteen years’ experience of leading clergy retreats at various venues in England and abroad. Based in the Liverpool Archdiocese, he is the author of Ego Eimi – It is I: Falling in Eucharistic Love. His forthcoming book is on the sacred priesthood. He is the editor of the quarterly magazine Dowry, and general chaplain of the youth movement Juventutem and of the Confraternity of St Peter, an international prayer network for priestly vocations and ministry.

For more information about Fr de Malleray, please click here.

Cost:

£320 (includes single, en-suite room and full board)

Please register below (deposit payment required):

This event has closed.

Venue:

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Events Talks

Our English History & Its Saints [conference]

St John Henry Newman

Our English History & Its Saints
[conference]

Saturday 7 March, 10am - 6pm

A day of learning about & celebrating our Christian story

Join us for a fun day of learning and activities, presented by Joanna Bogle, DSG.

We were once part of the Roman Empire, the same empire into which Christ was born. The Faith first came to Britain through the trade routes of that same Roman Empire. Then barbarians invaded and there were fresh reasons to evangelise, which led to the Saxon Christian era, the Vikings, the Normans – and then to Middle Ages, the Tudors, on to modern times… Come and hear the whole story!

The day will include:

  • Parallel activities for adults and children
  • For the adults: talks, workshops and a history walk
  • For the children: treasure hunts, stories, fact-finding and creative activities
  • Visit to the Stonyhurst College Historic Libraries and Old Chapel Museum
  • Morning coffee and buns
  • Afternoon tea and cakes
  • Drinks reception

Families, couples or individuals are all welcome to join us for a fascinating and informative day!

The day starts at 10am with a welcome over coffee and buns...

For the adults, the day will include the following:

  • Introductory talk on Britain’s Christian Story
  • Choice of workshops on the Saints of Saxon England
  • A Catholic History Walk contemplating Medieval England
  • A glimpse of Catholic Recusancy in Stonyhurst’s Old Chapel Museum
  • A closing talk on The Tudors and on to Newman
About the speaker:

Joanna Bogle, DSG is an author, broadcaster and historian. Currently Visiting Research Fellow at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, she has lectured in Britain, the USA, and Australia. She has written over 20 books, including on Newman’s London, A Book of Saints and Heroines and A Yearbook of Seasons and Celebrations. She is well-known for her Catholic History Walks around London. A former London Borough councillor, Joanna is chairman of LOGS – a ladies group in the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham – and works with the Association of Catholic Women, running events and conferences for families and schools. She is also chairman of Christian Projects, a charity running Bible-based RE projects for Britain’s secondary schools.

For more information about Joanna Bogle, please click here.

Cost:

Adults: £29

Children: £15

Family ticket (2 aduls + 2 children): £78

Buffet lunch supplement: £9.50 (adults), £6.50 (children)

Please register below:

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Categories
Events Talks

Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters [online evening talk] – #1 St Ignatius of Loyola

St John Henry Newman

Saints, Scholars & Spiritual Masters 1 - St Ignatius of Loyola
[online evening talk]

Thursday 3 September @7:30pm

Man of His Time and Saint for the Present

First of the online series: Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters

For the recording of this talk, please click here.

This is the first talk in our new online series of talks: Saints, Scholars and Spiritual Masters. It will explore the life and spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola. Founder of the Society of Jesus, St Ignatius is perhaps one of the most attractive and enigmatic of the Western Saints. A mercenary and a romantic, he was wounded in battle and spent time recuperating in hospital. He famously converted when forced to read the Gospels and the Lives of the Saints out of boredom. The ensuing time he spent in solitude, seeking the real meaning to his life, provided the basis for his Spiritual Exercises. These remain hugely relevant, immensely popular and religiously followed centuries later.

About the speaker:

Fr Dominic Robinson, SJ is currently Parish Priest of Farm Street in central London.  Farm Street Church, and the adjoining London Jesuit Centre, is a vibrant city centre ministry of the Jesuits, aiming to extend welcome and hospitality to many different groups.  Fr Dominic is also UK director of Landings, the programme for returning Catholics, teaches Theology at St Mary’s University, is Chair of Justice & Peace in the Diocese of Westminster and Ecclesiastical Assistant to the charity Aid to the Church in Need.

For more information about Fr Robinson, please click here.

Next in the series:

24th September – St Therese of Lisieux with Canon John Udris.

8th October – St John Henry Newman with Dr Giuseppe Pezzini.

22nd October – St Thomas Aquinas with Fr Richard Conrad, O.P.

5th November – St Francis de Sales with Canon Scott Tanner, I.C.K.S.P.

19th November – Sts Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross with Fr Matthew Blake, O.C.D.

3rd December – St Benedict of Norcia with Fr Cassian Folsom, O.S.B.

10th December – St Francis of Assisi with Fr Gabriel Kyte, C.F.R.

For the flier, please click here

 

Please register below:

This event has closed.