Aylesford Priory

Aylesford Priory

Aylesford Priory is the principal house of the Carmelite religious order which came to Kent in 1242. In 1247, it was officially recognised by the Bishop of Rochester and hosted the first General Chapter of the Order outside the Holy Land. The Chapter effectively changed the lifestyle of the Carmelites from hermits to mendicant friars.

In 1348 at the Vigil of the Feast of the Holy Cross, the site of the cemetery and the new church were blessed, but the church was not consecrated until 1417, possibly delayed by the Black Death. Alas, in 1538 the Friars of Aylesford were forced out of the priory to return only 400 years later in 1949.

In its 750year history, the place has changed use many times. After the Reformation, the property was converted into a stately home. Royalists during the Civil War, merchant bankers, Second World War servicemen and even the leader of a Scout group have all left their mark.

In 1949, it was put up for sale, enabling the Carmelites to buy back their motherhouse. Fr Malachy Lynch, the first Prior, began restoring the buildings. The tranquil gardens were restored, and chapels were built and adorned with distinguished ceramic artworks. Among the artists were Adam Kossowski*, who made the ceramics and L. Clark and his son Michael, both sculptors. Fr Malachy described The Friars as "a prayer in stone".

In partnership with Adrian Gilbert Scott, Fr Malachy conceived the idea of the openair shrine and gathered craftsmen and artists to help him. Building commenced in 1958 and the Shrine was dedicated to the Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1965. It now serves as a centre of prayer for all Christians in Kent and beyond, a place of peace for everyone.

The Friars is now part of the life of the County of Kent – both religious and social. A good number of organisations enjoy using the facilities for meetings and celebrations. The beauty of the place and the works of art have also attracted the media, and over the past decade a number of programmes have been broadcast by the BBC and ITV.

Here, prayer and work are intertwined; while personal and public prayer are at the core of their lives, the friars are also busy serving the wider community. Each friar has his area of work at the priory (administration, maintenance, giving retreats or counselling etc.). As the priory is a major pilgrimage centre, the community does all it can to take care of the spiritual needs of pilgrims who come from a variety of backgrounds. They want to serve the people through friendship,

hospitality and a desire to live out Christ’s preaching: love, justice, peace and mercy. They are ready to be available to support anyone who seeks God, or needs spiritual help, or wants to go deeper in their relationship with God.

Some friars work outside, in prison work, school, hospital, chaplaincy and local radio among other fields of activity. This is the main difference between friars and monks: both have a community life, but friars, supported by their fraternity, go out and work among people, spreading gospel values.

Contemplation remains at the heart of their life – a search for the face of God, an openness to the Spirit, in allegiance to Jesus Christ. From this flows a desire to live as brothers and serve the needs of the people among whom they live. Their Rule encourages them to value silence, pray the scriptures and try to let themselves be guided by the Spirit, individually and as a community. The Morning and Evening Prayers of the Church have a key role in their community life, without neglecting devotional prayers, such as the Rosary and other Marian devotions.

Praying with a listening heart effects a transformation in the life of the person who prays. Peace, quiet and solitude, even in a busy life, are essential for a contemplative approach. Carmelites come from personal prayer, often nourished by pondering the scriptures, to the Eucharist, which is the summit of prayer and binds into community.

Based on excerpts from the Friars’ website: https://www.thefriars.org.uk/home

*Kossowski was born and studied in Poland, went east to escape the Nazis and found himself in a Russian gulag for several years. There he made a promise that, if he ever escaped he would devote himself to the service of God, and his promise was realised in the work he did for the Friars over a period of twenty years.

On the right, one of his ceramics (12th Station of the Cross) at Aylesford Priory.

Sadly, this summer, we will not have our regular Pilgrimage of the Sick to Aylesford, but please keep in your diaries the date for next year:

Sunday 15th August 2021.

In the meantime, if you want to go on a personal pilgrimage it is now possible.

The Grounds are open 10am to 5pm at weekends, 8am to 5pm during the week. The Tea Rooms are open 10am to 5pm at weekends 11am to 5pm during the week. The Gift Shop is open 10am to 5pm at weekends, 11am to 5pm during the week. The Relic Chapel is open 2:30pm to 4:30pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday for PERSONAL PRAYER ONLY. There are stewards to ensure that guidelines are followed. Whilst the Chapel is closed you may wish to visit the Rosary Way and Peace Garden. Mass in the open air shrine 10.15am on Sunday, 12pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Toilet facilities open near the West Barn. Dining Hall is closed.