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‘We need men whose intellect
is enlightened by the light of God, men whose hearts
are opened by God, so that their intellect can speak
to the intellect of others and their hearts can open
the hearts of others. It is only by means of men who
have been touched by God that God can return to be
with mankind. We need men like Benedict of Nursia,
who in an age of dissipation and decadence immersed
himself in the uttermost solitude. Then after all the
purifications he had to undergo, he succeeded in rising
again to the light. He returned and made his foundation
at Monte Cassino, the ‘city on the hill’ where, in
the midst of so many ruins, he assembled the forces
from which a new world was formed.’
Joseph Ratzinger,
‘Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures’ 52-3
The Pope has called for
a renewal of the Church’s mission to Europe and points
to St Benedict’s enduring place in the work of evangelization,
and in the recovery of the human values that bring
people to Christ.
The community invites you
to make a retreat at Downside between the 10th - 12th
of September and find out more about St Benedict and
his relevance for today. Talks will be offered on the
life of St Benedict and the enduring values of his
Rule, as well as on the conversion of Europe ‘by cross,
book and plough’ and the mission of Benedictine monasteries
today.
Guests are invited to share
in the regular life and prayer of our community and
there will be opportunities for confession or to talk
privately to members of the community.
Click here if you would
like to know more about our monastic experience retreats…
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