Summer

As the summer months unfold, we have been grateful for many opportunities to welcome visitors, deepen old friendships, and share in the life of the wider Church.

One particular joy was the return of Mother Benedict of Arnhem Abbey, who lived with our community for three years some years ago. Many of our friends will remember her from her time in our Guesthouse, where she worked generously in the dining room. Although her visit was brief, it was a delight to welcome her back and to renew a friendship that time and distance have not diminished.

Sisters Mairead and Lily also enjoyed attending a gathering of contemplative nuns at Mount St Anne’s Retreat Centre. The gathering brought together Benedictines from Kylemore Abbey, the Dominican Sisters of Siena, Drogheda, the Poor Clares, Carmelites, and other contemplative religious. It was a rich time of prayer, friendship and shared reflection. Among the speakers was Fr Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm., former Prior General of the Carmelite Order, whose inspiring talks on community were delivered entirely without notes and captivated all who attended. It was a memorable few days in beautiful surroundings, strengthening the bonds that unite contemplative communities.

Formation and ministry have also continued throughout the summer. Mother Fiachra and Sister Ann attended a safeguarding course in Maynooth, while Sister Marie had the privilege of giving a retreat to the priests of the Diocese of Elphin in Mullaghmore. She returned encouraged by the openness and prayerfulness of the priests and grateful for the time they shared together.

Sisters Mairead and Maria represented the community at the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Cuan Mhuire. The occasion recalled the remarkable vision of Sr Consilio and the enduring work of healing and hope that has touched so many lives over the past six decades. Our own community has long valued its friendship and association with Sr Consilio and the Cuan Mhuire family, making the celebration especially meaningful.

Closer to home, there has been plenty happening too. Some much-needed painting has brightened the older parts of the monastery, giving them a fresh look! We were also delighted to receive planning permission for the installation of solar panels.

Our Novitiate Sisters (and Novice Mistress!) enjoyed its annual summer day-out to the beach—a happy day of recreation, sea air and shared joy.

Most recently, we were pleased to welcome two much-loved visitors from the Cistercian communities of the United States: Mother Maureen, retired Abbess of Mount St Mary’s Abbey, Wrentham, Mass (our daughterhouse, founded in 1949) who is travelling onward to give a retreat to a community of monks, and Mother Vicki, retired Prioress of the monastery of Santa Rita in Tucson, Arizona who will be staying with us for a month. Their visit is a beautiful reminder of the communion that unites our Order across the world, and of the enduring gift of hospitality and friendship.

We remember all our friends and benefactors in our prayers and wish everyone a peaceful and grace-filled summer.