December - The Month of the Immaculate Conception

Pope's Intentions for December 2015:

• Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving.
• Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

The Abbey Shop is open for business on the first floor, above the reception room. It is open every day from 2-4.30 p.m. Brother Philip looks forward to your custom!

The Abbey Reception room has now been fitted out to receive coach-parties: Father Raymond looks forward to welcoming all the old parish groups, and new ones, back to Nunraw.

We are unable at the moment to receive resident guests: if you wish a residential retreat, we are happy to recommend St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull.

November 2015 The Month of the Holy Souls

Pope's Intentions for November 2015:

• Universal Intention - Dialogue. That we may be open to personal encounter and dialogue with all, even those whose convictions differ from our own.
• Evangelization Intention - Pastors. That pastors of the Church, with profound love for their flocks, may accompany them and enliven their hope.

Some nostalgic snaps

Here are some photographs of the building of the monastery which will evoke old memories:

October - the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

Holy Father's intentions for October 2015:

• Universal: That human trafficking, the modern form of slavery, may be eradicated.
• Evangelization: That with a missionary spirit the Christian communities of Asia may announce the Gospel to those who are still awaiting it.

September - the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Pope's intentions for September 2015:

 The Holy Father's universal prayer intention for September is: “That opportunities for education and employment may increase for all young people”. 

His intention for evangelisation is: “That catechists may give witness by living in a way consistent with the faith they proclaim”.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35)

The Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)

The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:43–45)

Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary.

Jesus dies on the cross. (John 19:25)

The piercing of the side of Jesus, and Mary's receiving the body of Jesus in her arms. (Matthew 27:57–59)

The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. (John 19:40–42)

The Holy Father's universal prayer intention for August is: “That volunteers may give themselves generously to the service of the needy”.

His intention for evangelisation is: “That setting aside our very selves we may learn to be neighbours to those who find themselves on the margins of human life and society”.

The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The last portion of the liturgical year represents the time of our pilgrimage to heaven during which we hope for reward.

Father Brendan McGlynn Changes Stability to Nunraw

Sacred Heart of Jesus 12 June 2015.

After Lauds we had the ceremony of Fr. Brendan McGlynn (formerly Fr. Nivard) changing his stability from Bamenda Abbey, Cameroon, of which he was a founding father in 1964, to Nunraw where he has been living for the last  few years. Ad multos annos.

May Magnificat - Gerard Manley Hopkins

February 2015 Month of the Passion of Our Lord

Pope Francis's intentions for February:

The Holy Father's universal prayer intention for February is: “That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity”.
His intention for evangelisation is: “That married people who are separated may find welcome and support in the Christian community”.

NB The Sunday Mass at Nunraw has now moved back to 11 a.m. 

January 2015 - The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus

Pope Francis's intentions for January:

General: That those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work together for peace.

Missionary: That in this year dedicated to consecrated life, religious men and women may rediscover the joy of following Christ and strive to serve the poor with zeal.

NB The Sunday Mass at Nunraw has now moved back to 11 a.m. 

On the 12th January, we celebrate the feast of St Aelred.

St Aelred, 2nd Patron of Nunraw, was an influential figure in the beginnings of the Cistercian Order. He had connections with King David of Scotland and spent his life in Rievaulx which is relatively near our own monastery. He is therefore an appropriate patron of Nunraw. Aelred’s great authority came from his deep commitment to the monastic life and his inspirational teaching and writings. He didn’t just live in the monastery, he gave himself to it with all his heart. It is this which attracted so many monks to join Rievaulx. Aelred loved the common life, but he must surely have desired more solitude and peace than his life as abbot allowed him. Giving himself to the ideals of the Gospel as lived in the monastery involved suffering, as is true of all great commitments. But it shaped him at the same time into the great monk and saint that he became. We thank God for such a patron and pray that we may learn from St Aelred’s commitment in our own lives.