Father Boase's Monthly Message

Father's Monthly Message

May 2008

Dear Friends,

Dear Friends, A few weeks ago we found some incense in a cupboard at St. Paul’s. It had come from England and had been there a long time, for the marked price dated it as at least pre-1971. The place of origin? Why, none other than Alton Abbey England! So I’ve been in correspondence with Abbot Giles of Alton Abbey, and our Parish Nurse Judy Roth will be visiting Alton Abbey during her vacation in England. I hope we may be able to forge a link between the Episcopal Parish of Alton and Alton Abbey, England. There are all sorts of possibilities but, for now, a little more information about Alton Abbey.

The Anglican Benedictine Alton Abbey of Our Lady and Saint John in beautiful Hampshire has been described in The London Times as "the best-kept secret in the Church of England" and "the place to go when you need six weeks holiday but can only spare a day."

The Abbey has been in existence since 1895. The earliest of the present buildings was not constructed until 1901, and the Abbey Church was dedicated in 1930 in honor of Mary the Mother of Christ and John the beloved disciple. Although the buildings are impressive, they are really only the roof over our heads, say the monks. The real church is the people who gather to worship. The core of that worshiping community is the family of monks who live there. The wider family of Alton Abbey also includes: the Oblates, the external associate members of the Community who live under a Rule of Life; and the Companions of Our Lady and Saint John, together with people who choose regularly to worship with the monks. It is a joy for the monks that others also come to share in their life and worship from time to time. These include those staying in the Retreat House, in groups or as individuals, and those who wish to find sanctuary and a refuge from the pressures and demands of daily life through spending just an hour or two with them. From the very earliest days of Benedictine monasticism, people have been attracted to Benedictine spirituality, and have sought a closer link with the monastic life through affiliation with a particular monastery. At Alton Abbey, the spiritual connection can be made in three ways: by joining the Community, by becoming an Oblate, or by becoming a Companion of Our Lady and Saint John.

Saint Benedict says in his Rule that the monastery is a school of the Lord’s service for beginners. Being a monk is a lifetime process of development. Discerning the will of God takes time and patience; this is especially true during the early stages of vocational discernment. Men aged over 18, and usually under 50, who may be considering a monastic vocation are welcome to explore the possibility of joining the family of monks. Well, there you are, a little background information! I am delighted to be in touch with Abbot Giles and I have a hope that he may be able to visit Alton when he comes to America next year. For now, I ask you to keep him and the brothers and Alton Abbey in your prayers. Dear Friends, A few weeks ago we found some incense in a cupboard at St. Paul’s. It had come from England and had been there a long time, for the marked price dated it as at least pre-1971. The place of origin? Why, none other than Alton Abbey England! So I’ve been in correspondence with Abbot Giles of Alton Abbey, and our Parish Nurse Judy Roth will be visiting Alton Abbey during her vacation in England. I hope we may be able to forge a link between the Episcopal Parish of Alton and Alton Abbey, England. There are all sorts of possibilities but, for now, a little more information about Alton Abbey.

The Anglican Benedictine Alton Abbey of Our Lady and Saint John in beautiful Hampshire has been described in The London Times as "the best-kept secret in the Church of England" and "the place to go when you need six weeks holiday but can only spare a day."

The Abbey has been in existence since 1895. The earliest of the present buildings was not constructed until 1901, and the Abbey Church was dedicated in 1930 in honor of Mary the Mother of Christ and John the beloved disciple.

Although the buildings are impressive, they are really only the roof over our heads, say the monks. The real church is the people who gather to worship. The core of that worshiping community is the family of monks who live there. The wider family of Alton Abbey also includes: the Oblates, the external associate members of the Community who live under a Rule of Life; and the Companions of Our Lady and Saint John, together with people who choose regularly to worship with the monks. It is a joy for the monks that others also come to share in their life and worship from time to time. These include those staying in the Retreat House, in groups or as individuals, and those who wish to find sanctuary and a refuge from the pressures and demands of daily life through spending just an hour or two with them. From the very earliest days of Benedictine monasticism, people have been attracted to Benedictine spirituality, and have sought a closer link with the monastic life through affiliation with a particular monastery.

At Alton Abbey, the spiritual connection can be made in three ways: by joining the Community, by becoming an Oblate, or by becoming a Companion of Our Lady and Saint John.

Saint Benedict says in his Rule that the monastery is a school of the Lord’s service for beginners. Being a monk is a lifetime process of development. Discerning the will of God takes time and patience; this is especially true during the early stages of vocational discernment. Men aged over 18, and usually under 50, who may be considering a monastic vocation are welcome to explore the possibility of joining the family of monks.

Well, there you are, a little background information! I am delighted to be in touch with Abbot Giles and I have a hope that he may be able to visit Alton when he comes to America next year. For now, I ask you to keep him and the brothers and Alton Abbey in your prayers.

Note: If you have a computer, you may like to enter Alton Abbey into a search engine and view the website.

Yours sincerely,

Fr. David