Monastic Living @ The Northumbria Community
Welcome to our School for Monastic Living: 'Those who entered the desert entered a kind of school, a school in which loving as God loves was the primary and foundational lesson.' – Mary C. Earle
Today we anticipate the coming of Christ, made vulnerable in the world. We are invited to listen carefully, through the stillness; to watch and pray; to await His cry…
We would encourage you to continue to follow the daily prayer rhythms – Morning Prayer, Midday, Evening Prayer and Compline (which can be found in our ‘Other Resources’ section on page 2), as well as including the seasonall liturgies below and the other activities that you have planned for your structured, intentional time alone.
Continue reading “A Solitary Christmas Retreat – Christmas Eve”
Today we come to the final antiphon of advent – a call to adoration of God through a name of God, which is Immanuel, God with us. As we participate from our alone, from our cell, we hold the gift of Community and embrace our ALONENESS together.
There is a suggested pattern for today included in the ‘Other Resources’ section on Page 2.
O Immanuel,
You are our King and judge,
the One whom the peoples await, and their Saviour.
O come and save us, Lord, our God.
Continue reading “A Solitary Christmas Retreat – Day 7” 
Each day (from 17th to 23rd) there will be a call to adoration of God through a name of God, by which we may come to understand more of the character of Emmanuel. These ancient prayers of Isaiah are lifted into the advent season by Benedictions – part of early monastic traditions. They are called ‘Antiphons’ which literally means ‘opposite voice’, a Call and Response in worship. As we participate from our alone, from our cell, we hold the gift of Community and embrace our ALONENESS together.
There is a suggested pattern for each day included in the ‘Other Resources’ section on Page 2.
O King whom all the peoples desire,
You are the cornerstone which makes all one.
O come and save us whom You made from clay.
Continue reading “A Solitary Christmas Retreat – Day 6” 
Each day (from 17th to 23rd) there will be a call to adoration of God through a name of God, by which we may come to understand more of the character of Emmanuel. These ancient prayers of Isaiah are lifted into the advent season by Benedictions – part of early monastic traditions. They are called ‘Antiphons’ which literally means ‘opposite voice’, a Call and Response in worship. As we participate from our alone, from our cell, we hold the gift of Community and embrace our ALONENESS together.
We also include a reflection on the 21st December as the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and encourage you to think ahead to a House of Bread activity for Christmas Day….
Furthermore, at dusk today, weather-permitting, you may be able to view an astronomical phenomenon the like of which has probably not been seen for at least 800 years, as Jupiter and Saturn are set to cross paths in the night sky… (- more about that is included below)
There is a suggested pattern for each day included in the ‘Other Resources’ section on Page 2.
O Rising Sun, You are the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.Continue reading “A Solitary Christmas Retreat – Day 5”