“All guests are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Rule of Saint Benedict chapter 53).

IN THE spirit of the Rule of our holy father Saint Benedict, the Abbot and Community welcome guests to Quarr Abbey. The monastery is the house of God, or as Saint Benedict also describes it, a “school of the Lord’s service” where everything is ordered to the glory of God and the building up of the Body of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Saint Benedict states that, “After the guests have been received, they should be invited to pray”. Prayer is, therefore, to be the most important part of the guest’s stay in the monastery. The timetable, work and the various activities which form part of our daily life, are all designed to contribute towards creating a climate which is conducive to prayer, in a spirit of peace and recollection. The monastic day is built around the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Holy Mass. Guests are expected to participate in the prayer of the community. The guests join the community in the Refectory for Lunch and Supper.

Since guests come to the monastery to seek peace and silence in order to restore a healthy balance in heart, mind and soul, the

guesthouse is a place of silence and recollection. Guests should not engage members of the community in conversation. This should not be seen as unfriendly but is to safeguard the element of solitude which is an essential part of monastic life and tradition. It also safeguards the quiet and silence desired by the guest. The guestmaster monk is given the responsibility for the welfare of the guest. Priests are available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Lectio Divina, that is Spiritual Reading, is an integral part of Benedictine Spirituality. The Word of God in Holy Scripture is the most sacred of all books. Guests are encouraged to spend time in prayerful reading and reflection. A small selection of spiritual books is available.

There are several pleasant walks within the grounds of the monastery and in the surrounding countryside.

The Guesthouse does not charge a standard rate so that no-one should feel that he cannot afford to stay. Donations, however, are invited.