So I gaze on you in the s
anctuary, to see your strength and your glory.
We’re a bit stunned by your responses and kind comments! We never expected such a warm welcome from the blogging world and it was quite a surprise to come in after Morning Office and find all these comments!
We thought we’d share some photos of the Abbey for you. Above you can see our Choir. We know this really very well, as we’re sitting here five times a day singing Our Lord’s praises!
This stained glass window, showing SS Mechtildis and Catherine of Siena, is tucked away in the Abbey Church and not many people see it. The photo was taken in the evening after Vespers, with the sunlight streaming through – beautifully illuminating the angel.
Enter by the narrow gate and travel the path less-trod.
A view from under the crucifix in the monastery’s cemetery through to the orchard.
Right. We have to run to Midday Prayer now! Hopefully you’ll enjoy the photos.
(PS we still like lots of comments 
)
What a beautiful abbey you have! Keep up those photos!
May I ask, is Sr. Johanna there? She was from St. Scholastica Priory here in the US (Petersham). If she is there tell her that Sr. Mary Catharine Perry says hello!
Sr. Mary Catharine
By: monialesop on 29 July, 2007
at 11:13 am
I’m not surprised that your venture is proving so successful.The photos are are lovely please keep the coming !! God Bless you.
By: Jennifer on 29 July, 2007
at 2:02 pm
Lovely photos!
By: Maggie on 29 July, 2007
at 2:57 pm
Very nice photos, really. One curious question: Will you, the writers, introduce yourselves? I am really looking forward to that.
By: Amica on 29 July, 2007
at 5:03 pm
Beautiful!!
By: Kim on 29 July, 2007
at 9:32 pm
Amica – it’s something that we’ve talked a little about already, and of course we’ll have to discuss the issue with our Abbess and Novice Mistress before we actually decide to do anything. Some of us are a bit shy, you see
By: noviceship on 30 July, 2007
at 7:17 am
We would love to hear about you all. There is no need to be shy as you are amongst friends.!
God Bless
By: Jennifer on 30 July, 2007
at 9:21 am
Yes, that’s of course understandable.
By: Amica on 30 July, 2007
at 11:32 am
Wow, again, your monastery is soo beautiful! What a heavenly place to praise the Lord, and with so much history! The picture in your blog heading reminds me of Kylemore Abbey in Ireland :j
I think it would be no problem at all for you to remain anonymous yourselves, especially in light of your hidden vocations. This little glimpse into your life at the abbey is already very neat. God bless you!
By: MargaretClare on 30 July, 2007
at 2:36 pm
I’ve got no problem with anonymous Catholics. Or better yet, Cathoholics.
God bless you for this blog. It’s especially exciting to see an English abbey participating in a vocational venture like this.
By: Cathoholic Anonymous on 1 August, 2007
at 10:52 am
Sr Mary Catherine – we’ve asked Mother Abbess and our Novice Mistress and they they can’t place a sister Johanna as having been here, thanks for all your encouragement. We have enjoyed looking at your blog too. Teresa and Adele.
By: noviceship on 3 August, 2007
at 12:19 pm
Hello sisters,
If Sr Mary Catherine is still around, I think I may be able to answer her question about Sr Johanna.
Twelve years ago I was a novice at Stanbrook Abbey. There was an American nun there called Sr Johanna Caton, a former ballet dancer. I think she eventually moved on to Minster Abbey in Kent. I wonder if this is the same person.
God bless you, I’ll pray for your perseverance.
Mary
By: Mary on 22 August, 2007
at 7:01 pm
greetings dear novicate
i was just wondering how you photographs were comming along and whether you are going to put some on you site.
as i thought perhaps it would be nice if you had a little diary type item now and again eg the day in the life of a dame or a day in the life of a sister or a day in the life of novice and postulant ect.
as i am sure people would love to here as it would be very interesting as some people are not aware that for you all each day although has some of the same routine. but your life is otherwise different moment by moment
would this be a possibility
By: margaret on 23 August, 2007
at 2:57 pm
Good idea Margaret, are you the lovely friend who has put our miraculous picture on for us? We have talked to our novice mistress and confirmed some things with her so we will be getting some facts about us on this blog over the next day or so. Please feel free to ask more.
By: noviceship on 28 August, 2007
at 9:03 am
Hi Mary, Sr Mary Catherine has been around, keep reading and you willl probably find her. It is great that people are ‘meeting’ each other again through our blog.
By: noviceship on 28 August, 2007
at 9:05 am
I have to lend my voice to the option of talking about the orthopraxy of your daily life if you are not comfortable talking about yourself.
Or maybe talk about why you don’t want to talk about yourself. Is it part of your lifestyle? or because you are shy?
Blessings!
By: Elizabeth on 8 September, 2007
at 2:10 am
I am discerning my vocation and I would like to email your Novice Mistress soon. In a recent post, you said you’d try to get the pictures back into the blog. Any news on that? I am dying to see the pictures and after reading the posts on this page, I am dying to see more of your monastery! I am very attracted to the Benedictines and your monastery. God bless you all and I hope to see the pictures soon if possible!
Mary
By: Mary on 15 November, 2007
at 2:47 am
Hi Mary, we have answered your question on question and answers – mothers email address is there too, thanks and God Bless, Adele.
By: noviceship on 15 November, 2007
at 12:31 pm
I have your site listed under my favorites. I enjoy reading about your lives and from it (and others) I have gotten ideas.
Such as, my husband and I have converted one of our bedrooms into a “Chapel.” I pray the Liturgy of the Hours, 5 times a day there and it just is so peaceful. My husband’s job is STRESSFUL when he comes the first place he goes to is the “chapel.” Jesus First, Wife Second.
Thank you for prayers.
By: homemade hermit on 8 March, 2008
at 2:02 am
Homemade Hermit – i love the name – wow! i am stunned that you have done that, it is so great that you now have your own private ‘chapel’, your own place to spend some quiet time, it sounds lovely and i am a bit awestruck that you may have got the idea from here. Going into your ‘chapel’ first sounds a great way to let go before getting into family life, i hope and pray that it brings you many benefits, and always enjoy it, pax, sr marie-therese.
By: noviceship on 9 March, 2008
at 5:22 pm