COMMUNITY NEWS

2022 will go down in the annals of the Monastic Community as perhaps the most significant year since we moved from Acton Burnell to Downside (or even since our expulsion from France in 1793). This was the year when we moved out of Downside Abbey to take up residence in a house in the grounds of Buckfast Abbey, Devon. The move was smooth but not easy. Each monk had to visit Buckfast in order to see the house again, to see his room, and then to think carefully about what he had at Downside and what he wanted or needed to bring with him. Inevitably this could not be achieved overnight, and many boxes were packed, many items given away or disposed of. The move was co-ordinated by Dom Anselm, and finally the day came when the boxes were packed, and the furniture removal firm came to collect everything. Inevitably, we had to bring not only our personal things, but we needed books to form a working library in our new home, vestments, and other items from the sacristy and some of the most significant relics.

Our final Mass at Downside was on our patronal feast of St Gregory the Great, on 12th March 2022, at which we were joined by the School and a number of parishioners, oblates and friends of the Community, including Bishop Declan Lang and the Abbots of most of the monasteries of our Congregation present in England and the Abbess of Stanbrook. Whilst the Mass was inevitably a poignant occasion, it also had a sense of joy. This was not only the end of one era, but the beginning of a new one. Some of the Community stayed at Downside that night and woke (as was often the case) to find that there was neither hot water nor heating the following morning.

We have been warmly welcomed by the Monks and staff at Buckfast Abbey, for whom nothing is too much trouble. Inevitably, a few repairs have been needed, and they have been dealt with quickly and kindly by the friendly staff. Our IT issues have finally been sorted and we can now be contacted easily by email.

When we think about the year since the last Community News, this is inevitably a very prominent item, but other things have happened. Abbot Charles returned to the Monastery, having been Parish Priest of Bungay (East Anglia) for some 15 years. Dom James, Dom Boniface, and Dom Michael ceased to work in the School

as Chaplains at the Lent Half Term, in order to be free for the move. In recognition of his many years of work in the School and his role as trustee of the Downside Fisher Youth Club in Bermondsey for many years, Dom James was awarded the Old Gregorian Medal. Other events have also taken place, such as Lectio workshops in Cumbria, led by Dom Leo; a pilgrimage to Rome with the Young Catholic Adult Network, led by Dom Anselm; the community retreat, led by Abbot Xavier Perrin of Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. Dom Anselm was also invited to visit Mariavall Abbey in southern Sweden, in order to give some help with their singing.

Dom John, meanwhile, was ordained to the diaconate at the end of August by Bishop Declan, and in September 2022 he will be ordained to the priesthood at Buckfast by Archbishop Mark O’Toole. He has concluded his initial theological studies and is now studying for a Licentiate degree in Monastic Theology at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. July 2022 saw the meeting of the General Chapter of the English Benedictine Congregation, at which our community was represented by Abbot Nicholas and Dom Anselm, with Dom David as the Formation Consultor for the Congregation. At the end of this meeting, Abbot Nicholas was elected to serve on the Abbot President’s Council for the next four years.

In the meantime, we have settled well into our new, but temporary, home. We now live in a place which is much smaller (not difficult!), but with a reliable infrastructure, where the heating and hot water work consistently, with beautiful countryside and a chapel where we celebrate the Divine Office and Mass, which are at the heart of our life. We continue to record the Mass most days and upload it to our Soundcloud channel. You can follow us on our social media channels (@downsideabbey on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter).

Please continue to pray for us, as we do for you.

Dom Anselm Brumwell