Vocations Blog

Community Mandatum: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?

01 April 2010

WHEN I WAS A NOVICE the Community Mandatum was my all-time favourite ritual of the whole liturgical year.  It takes place in Glencairn on the eve of Passion Sunday, setting the tone for the days to

The Season of Lent: Unify your Life

08 March 2010

“IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL LIFE,” wrote Thomas Merton, “you must unify your life.  A life is either spiritual or it is not spiritual at all.  No-one can serve two masters.  Your life is shaped

Vigils: Ordinary Time

01 February 2010

IN YOU, LORD, IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE.  This is an antiphon the community sings at the Office of Vigils in the last hours of darkness before a new day begins.  This is a special time in the monastic

The Feast of the Epiphany

06 January 2010

THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS at Glencairn is resonant with mystery; the fragile limbs of our new-born saviour reach out with tenderness to a fallen world.  The light of faith by which the wise kings walk