2007 Lenten Retreat - 3rd March 2007

Lent gives us an opportunity to grow in our faith by strenthening our relationship with God and our commitment to that call which we received during our baptism.

We recognise that we live in a very busy society, and often do not have that time or opportunity for this type and level of reflection.  This visit helped us focus our thoughts on the events of the next six and a half weeks - events without which, perhaps there would be nothing like christianity.  The picture (top of the Calvary walk at the Abbey) clearly shows where Christ, as man would end up (on the Cross of Calvary) at the end of the journey.

An event of this nature needs to be held in a place that is suitable. And Mount St Bernard Abbey was perfect for this.

Mount St. Bernard Abbey is a community of Cistercian Monks who follow the rule of St. Benedict according to the traditions of the Cistercian Order.  The Abbey is located in Charnwood Forest, near Coalville, Leicestershire.

We arrived at the Monastery at about 12 p.m.  The photograph shows (from left to right) Sandra, Helen, and Takunda, soon after alighting from the mini van, which the St John Fisher Parish, Coventry, graciously allowed us to use for the event.

And while Helen, Sandra and Louisa (L - R) seem to be discusing their impression of the monastery and the activities of the day, Takunda seems so impressed and could not resist picking up her phone to tell those close to her how beautifyl and tranquil the place is.

The Music co-ordinator - Basil Nkouakep, inside the Church, by the Shrine of Blessed Cyprain Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian Priest and Monk who lived and died at Mt St Bernard Abbey.

One of our aims for visiting the monastery was to has a first hand idea of how and what a monastic life is.  We were opportuned to have been assigned a Monk who gave us a detailed explanation of how Monks in the Abbey spend their every day life. The typical day for a Monk starts at 3 A.M and ends at 8 P.M, with a 2-hour rest period (siesta) which starts at 12 P.M and ends at 2 P.M.

It was time for us to have a liitle bit of refreshment while waiting for our Chaplain, Fr Tony Norton of Sacred Heart Parish, Coventry, who would be leading us in the Stations of the Cross.  The picture shows (L-R) Basil, Muriel, Perpetua and Takunda enjoying their packed lunches.

In this picture, Sandra, Helen and Louisa are seeing chatting away during while eating their packed lunches.

The highlight of the day was the Station of the Cross, which we held in the Chapel at the Church.  It was a mixture of songs and readings reflecting teh journey and sufferings of Christ on the day that he was crucified.  It also contained expressions of sorrow by the participants and a determination not to take Christ through that journey again through our sinful behaviours.  This part of our activity ended with a Blessing from Fr Tony Norton, who had to rush back to Coventry to celebrate a mass in his parish.  After the departure of our chaplain, we concluded the "Stations of the Cross" with a a "Calvary Walk".  The picture shows some members standing on top of the calvary walk- by the Cross