A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE BENEDICTINE NUNS OF STANBROOK ABBEY, WASS

A couple of weeks ago, a group of Year 10 girls had the amazing opportunity to visit Stanbrook Abbey and Convent. We found out that converting to be a nun or a monk is not the only way in which you can strengthen your relationship with God. When we arrived, we saw something we didn’t expect which was a modern building made to be completely environmentally friendly. The truth is that looking after the planet and the environment is one of the best ways in which you can improve your religious life and feel closer to God as we as Christians have the duty to look after His kingdom.

This is something everyone can do a little something about because even if you think that you won’t make a change, you will, and unconsciously your relationship with God will be re-enforced as you will be helping look after the perfect world he created for us. Seeing all the efforts put in at Stanbrook Abbey to make it a 100% environmentally friendly place we realised that it is not impossible to play your part, and that it is a fantastic way to make sure you are fulfilling your Christian duties even if it is not only by praying all the time.

Rocio

Torreblanca Godia (M) Year 10

This trip taught us all more about the life of a nun however, I am certain each of the girls who went on the trip went away grasping more clearly a different message about life.

What I first noticed in the Covent was all the nuns were very joyful and welcoming to their visitors. They wouldn’t give themselves the luxury of worrying about themselves too much and focused on shifting their attention towards other people or other duties they had to fulfil. I suppose in a way, depriving yourself from the privilege of analysing everything you feel is a gift because it allows you to experience things more simply, more beautifully. It allows you to accept things more graciously and deal with them more healthily.

Another thing I noticed was that the nuns recognised they wouldn’t always get along with each other, but they removed themselves from their pride. Rather they embraced themselves in humility and recognised that there were always two sides to a story. They admitted that not one single person is perfect, but they try to be the best versions of themselves every day.

As Christians, we believe we are all made in the image of God, and the nuns live by the simplest message of the Bible that we must see the good in everyone. I think that this deeper understanding and acceptance that it’s okay to get it wrong created a lot more trust within the Convent. The main thing I suppose I understood from this trip was to remove yourself from your prideful ego and to rejoice in humility, stop always thinking of yourselves and instead think of being and seeing the best in people.

I understand that sometimes it can be hard as I often find I think of myself too highly in moments of conflict in House, with a teacher, or with another student. We all hope, with God’s help, that we can turn ourselves away from selfish thoughts and towards a life of greater service. It is hard for us to be humble, but we hope that with the help of the Holy Spirit and holy church we can collaborate to be part of solutions to – and less the participants in – problems. Lastly, I would like to thank Mrs. Carter for organising this trip for us and I hugely recommend you all to sign up for it if the occasion arises again.

Victoria Collis (B) Year 10