Exploring New Monasticism
Weekly Zoom Evening Prayer -
Will be held every Monday evening at 18h30 French time
For the link to these, please contact us via the website.
Daily prayers at 09:30 and 18:00 - open to any who wish to join us in our chapel in our location in Basse Normandie, France - contact us via the website initially if interested.
Feb/March - Lent readings will feature on the Mondays during Lent From Richard Rohr's Wondrous Encounters - Scripture for Lent
Virtual 'Sit' - Friday evenings at 18h00 French time with CAC members and community around the world. Join on this link:
https://cac.org/news/virtual-sit-meditations-for-lent/?fbclid=IwAR01C4GQ3Ug_SoGLUD-nUvrzuzUriKXCR37yR65_DlNZGY8Kh1NcfpXOr0w
Easter Weekend - Following and contributing with the Mother House online
May onwards - the possibility of retreats, designed for your specific needs, can be booked and include one or more of the following:-
Direct booking for the caravan - please copy/paste the URL
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/736742448145246913?source_impression_id=p3_1684750986_4zcOupgOAkv0sVu3
February to November - Richard Rohr conversation group - a continuation of the conversation based on the book 'The Universal Christ' by Richard Rohr. Contact us for more details if you are interested in joining in these meaningful discussions.
Retreats - While waiting for the gite to be fully renovated, you can come and stay on retreat in our luxury caravan with beautiful views of the countryside, and join in our daily monastic rhythm. Spritual direction or other guided retreats can be reserved. Please contact us for more details, or if you would like to reserve the caravan, you can book directly on
Direct booking URL for the caravan https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/736742448145246913?adults=1&enable_m3_private_room=false&federated_search_id=697be0fc-b20b-4b23-84bf-1e6749b9e0a0&source_impression_id=p3_1680890183_jwi5Z4uRFvx9N9Qu&guests=1
Weekly Zoom Evening Prayer -
Will be held every Monday evening at 18h30 French time
For the link to these, please contact us via the website.
Daily prayers at 09:30 and 18:00 - open to any who wish to join us in our chapel in our location in Basse Normandie, France - contact us via the website initially if interested.
January 10th - Covenant Liturgy and Communion
Feb/March - Lent readings will feature on the Mondays during Lent
Easter Weekend - Following and contributing with the Mother House online
January - June 2022 - Richard Rohr conversation group - contiuing the international conversation on Zoom twice a month focusing on the book 'Falling Upward' by Richard Rohr. Contact us for more details if you are interested.
September - December 2022 - Richard Rohr conversation group - a new conversation based on the book 'The Universal Christ' by Richard Rohr. Contact us for more details if you are interested.
December 12th - Songs and Scones - an evening of Christmas songs and carols with some mulled wine and festive nibbles afterwards.
Weekly Zoom Evening Prayer -
Will be held every Monday evening at 18h30 French time
For the link to these, please contact us via the website.
Daily prayers at 09:30 and 18:00 - open to any who wish to join us in our chapel in our location in Basse Normandie, France - contact us via the website initially if interested.
January 4th - Covenant Liturgy and Communion
Feb/March - Lent readings will feature on the Mondays during Lent
Easter Weekend - Following and contributing with the Mother House online
December 17th - Songs and Scones - an evening of Christmas songs and carols with some festive nibbles afterwards
September - December 2021 - Richard Rohr conversation group - international conversation on Zoom twice a month focusing on the book 'Falling Upward' by Richard Rohr. Contact us for more details if you are interested.
Dates planned - September the 16th, October the 7th and 28th, and the 11th and 25th November. There will not be any meetings in December, but we will regroup in January. (dates to be finalised)
Monastic Sundays -
Will be held on:-
January 5th - Epiphany theme
March 8th - Lent theme
May 3rd - Resurrection theme
June 7th - TBA
July 5th - TBA
August 2nd - TBA
September 20th - Harvest theme
October 4th - TBA
November 1st - All saints theme
Easter Retreat -
Will be from:
10th to 12th April
Weekly Zoom Evening Prayer -
Will be held every Monday evening at 18h30 French time
For the link to these, please contact us via the website
For further details, please contact us via the contact page and
we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Proposed Programme for 2019
6 January – Monastic Retreat Day – Epiphany
3 February – Monastic Retreat Day – Covenant meal and planning
7 April – Mini pilgrimage - 'Following in the footsteps of the wise and the good'
Saint Vital of Mortain and Savigny-le-Vieux
19 -21 April – Easter retreat and celebration – for a full programme,
please contact us
5 May – Monastic Retreat Day – What is the task of the Christian?
2 June – Monastic Retreat Day – Stresses of living - God's grace
7 July – Monastic group BBQ Day – bring family and friends
4 August – Monastic Retreat Day – Our Source of energy
11 – 17 August – Family Retreat Week – Come to relax and explore the
neighbourhood with your family, and join in our monastic rhythm
8 September – Monastic Retreat Day –
13 October – Monastic Retreat Day – Harvest celebration
3 November – Monastic Retreat Day - Centring prayer
1 December – Monastic Retreat Day - Advent
22 December - carols afternoon
25 December - 10h30 - Celtic Christmas celebration followed by Christmas drinks and nibbles
Other Retreat Days, Retreat Stays, or Retreat Programmes, can be offered on request.
For a price guide, see the following….
Proposed Programme for 2018
Quiet day after Easter - 4th April - Come for a day to reflect, do some art/craft with an Easter theme, pray, or just enjoy the surroundings. Come in time for Morning Office at 09h30, or at 10h00 for a slower start, and feel free to stay until after Evening Office at 18h00. Materials will be made available. Suggested donation €20 for the day including lunch.
Family Holiday retreat week - 18th to 25th August - A week for families to come and enjoy the Normandy countryside/D-Day beaches/other beaches and tourist attractions in the area using us as a base and place to relax and refresh yourself within ghte rhythm of the day. Suggested donation €25 per person per day - children under 12 half price.
Individual or group retreats at times mutually convenient can be arranged:
There are 4 categories of retreat:
1. A working retreat - where the person takes a full part in daily rota tasks and is willing to join in other work - indoors and outdoors as needed.
2. A holiday/unguided retreat - where the person may choose to help around the place, but is not obliged to, and is not on the rota. They are free to come and go as they please.
3. A guided retreat - where the person has some spiritual direction or guidance during the day, and is free to do as they wish for the rest of the time.
4. A fully structured retreat - where there is a daily programme of events/spiritual exercises/direction etc. with some free time for reflection or going out and about.
The suggested donation per person per day for each of these is 1. £20 or euros 2. £/€25 3.£/€30 4.£/€35
Regular Monastic Retreat Days - are offered - usually the first Sunday in the month, and At Home afternoons for afternoon tea and a chat are also regularly arranged. You are also invited to browse/borrow books from our library. Dates for these will follow shortly........
The first monastic retreat day will be on the 7th January for our annual Covenant New Year meal and Liturgy.
The dates up to June are as follows:
Please also see these dates and other information on our facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.northumbriacommunityinfrance.net/
Easter Retreat – 14th to 16th April – our usual annual retreat reflecting on the
Passion and Resurrection of Christ with a varied programme of discussion,
film, walks, visits, Communion, meditation time, and creative activities.
Suggested donation for those staying over - €30 per person per night.
Dutch Retreat week – 9th to 16th July – Come and join Victor and some
Dutch friends for a week of retreat and engagement with life in the country –
offering time for reflection, discussion, relaxation, and a chance to do light
work on the property, if you wish to, within the monastic rhythm to the day.
Suggested donation €30 per person per night.
Family Holiday – 9th to 16th August – do bring your children and stay for as
many days as you like over this period to enjoy the local area and
surroundings at Suvigny, within the monastic rhythm of the day. For guidance
on local attractions, please contact us. Suggested donation - €20 per person
per night – children 12 and under €10 per night.
Monastic Retreat Sundays – Anyone in the area is welcome to join us
January 22nd – New Year Covenant liturgy and shared meal
February 5th – Sermon on the Mount reflections
March 5th – Lent thoughts
May 7th – Falling Upwards – Richard Rohr
June 4th – Falling Upwards – Richard Rohr
July 2nd – Falling Upwards – Richard Rohr
August 6th – BBQ for the group, friends and family
September 3rd - Falling Upwards - Richard Rohr
September 17th - afternoon tea and Evening Office with Communion
October 1st - Falling Upwards - Richard Rohr
October 15th - afternoon tea and Evening Office with Communion
November 5th - Falling Upwards -Richard Rohr
November 26h - afternoon tea and Evening Office with Communion
December 3rd - Advent theme
December 17th - afternoon tea and carol singing
December 25th - Christmas service 10h30 and mulled wine and nibbles
Please also see these dates and other information on our facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.northumbriacommunityinfrance.net/
Private retreats (led or unled) or group bookings for a retreat led by us, or with the group's own programme, can be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
Proposed Programme for 2016
Monastic Sundays - Anyone in the area is
welcome to join us - please make contact
via the website
January 10th - Covenant Liturgy and 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
January 30th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
March 6th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren - Lent theme
April 24th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
May 8th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
May 22nd - The heart alone with God - Trevor Miller
June 5th - Video and discussion
June 26th - day outing to Mont St Michel - mass with the Brothers and Sisters of Jerusalem
July 17th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
July 24th - 'We make the road by walking' - Brian McLaren
7th August - Community group bring and share BBQ - friends and family welcome
28th August - Monastic day retreat - 'The Heart Alone with God' - Trevor Miller CD
11th September - Harvest celebration and Communion
Other Retreats
March 25th to 27th - Easter Retreat - a programme of activities, meditations, walks, a film in order to remember the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Please ask for a detailed programme) People are welcome to come for the whole weekend or just for a day, or part of a day. Suggested donation for those staying overnight - £30 or euros per person per night.
France Mission Day - At Cosham Baptist Church - Portsmouth - April 16th - if you interested in attending, please make contact via the website
Trustees Meeting - May 14th - 16h00 - 18h00 - trustees welcome to stay over a few days
Mission Eurasia Day - London - May 28th - house closed
Family Holiday Retreat week - 8th to 14th August - enjoy the surrounding area or the pleasant countryside at the house and in the garden within the monastic rhythm to the day. Suggested donation £20 or euros per adult per night 1/2 for children 5-12, and under 5s, no donation necessary.
De Spil retreat - 14th - 21st August - our Dutch friends will be joining us for a working/recreational retreat within the monastic rhythm to the day.
Community Work week - 22nd - 27th August - anyone willing to come and help with the renovations or maintenance of the house and grounds, within the monastic rhythm to the day, is welcome to join us for time in community - suggested donation £15 or euros per person per night.
Quiet Retreat - Time to be silent and reflect and pray, as well as to share a visit to Mont St Michel on the Tuesday. Fellowship and space within the rhythm to the day - some meditation guidance will be given - suggested donation £25 per person per night plus travel costs to the Mont.
Individual or other guided or unguided retreats are available -
please make contact via the website -
suggested donation for guided retreats - £30 or euros per person per night
suggested donation for unguided retreats - £25 or euros per person per night
Suggested donation for holiday retreats - £20 or euros per person per night
volunteers and full-time students - £15 or euros per person per day
Anyone is welcome to book a day retreat or a holiday break at a time mututally convenient.
Proposed Programme for 2015
– for more information or to register for any of the following, please contact us via the website
Private retreats (led or unled) or group bookings for a retreat led by us, or with the group's own programme, can be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
April 2nd – 5th – Easter Retreat – a chance to reflect on the passion of Jesus and renew monastic/baptismal vows on Easter Day. Suggested donation 25 euros or pounds per person per day. Children under 12 half price and children under 5 no charge.
April 6th – 11th – Community work week – an opportunity for those from the Community or beyond, to come and share in the life and work at L’Abri à Suvigny. Suggested donation 15 euros or pounds per person per day. Children under 12 half price and children under 5 no charge.
May 23rd – 24th – Gathering in the Dordogne – Andrew and Jane will be visiting the Dordogne and sharing the vision of Suvigny
June 21st – 28th – Celtic Saints retreat – Roehampton University retreat following in the footsteps of the Celtic Saints. Suggested donation 30 euros or pounds per person per day plus travelling costs.
July 20th – 25th – Community work week – an opportunity for those from the Community or beyond, to come and share in the life and work at L’Abri à Suvigny. Suggested donation 15 euros or pounds per person per day. Children under 12 half price and children under 5 no charge.
August 16th – 22nd – Family holiday week – a chance to explore the beaches and local places of interest or relax within the rhythm of the day at L’Abri. Suggested donation 20 euros or pounds per person per day. Children under 12 half price and children under 5 no charge.
August 24th – 28th – Harvest time – a chance to help with the harvest and processing of produce from the fruit and vegetable garden within the monastic rhythm. Suggested donation 15 euros or pounds per person per day. Children under 12 half price and children under 5 no charge.
2015 Monastic Retreat Days……
15th February – Covenant liturgy
22nd February – Lent 1
15th March – Lent 2
22nd March – Lent 3
2nd April – 5th April – Easter retreat
3rd May - 'In God's Hands' book
17th May - 'In God's Hands' book
31st May - Communion
14th June - Hild Liturgy programme
28th June - BBQ - Evening Office at 6pm
5th July - Hild Liturgy programme
2nd August - outing to Savigny le Vieux
16th August - Hild liturgy programme
30th August - Hild liturgy programme
13th September - harvest celebration
4th October – Hild liturgy programme
25th October – Hild liturgy programme
8th November – House blessing and Brigid liturgy
29th November – Advent week 1
13th December – Advent week 3
20th December – Christmas Carols by candlelight 16h30
25th December – Celtic Christmas Celebration 10h30
Suggested donations - These include full board, bedlinen and towels. £15/€15 per person per day for working retreats, £20/€20 per person per day for holiday or undirected retreats, £25/€25 per person per day for directed retreats. Children 5 to 12 years old – half the adult amount, and day visitors are welcome to donate in cash or kind as they feel appropriate.
Proposed Retreats for 2014
April 16th – Trustees meeting
April 17th to 20th – Easter Retreat – an opportunity to share in activities and reflections based on the Passion of Christ, as well as renewing of vows on Easter Day.
April 21st to 26th – Community Work Week – anyone from the Community or beyond is welcome to come and share in the work and renovation at L’Abri within the monastic rhythm of the day.
June 14th to 22nd – Following in the Footsteps of the Celtic Saints (Roehampton University) – introducing St Aaron,
Malo, Columbanus, Samson and Brendan
August 4th to 9th – Family Holiday Week – anyone wanting a summer break to enjoy the surroundings at L’Abri or the many attractions in the area, is welcome to join in the rhythm of the day with freedom to explore when you choose.
August 10th to 17th – Community Work Week – anyone from the Community or beyond is welcome to come and share in the work and renovation at L’Abri within the monastic rhythm of the day.
September 21st to 28th – Harvest Retreat – anyone wishing to learn or improve their woodland management skills or harvesting and processing produce, is welcome to join us at the special time of the year. Seasonal reflections will be introduced as well as working within the rhythm of the monastic day.
November 15th – Other Houses Gathering
November 22nd – Trustees meeting
Suggested donations - £15/€15 per person per day for working retreats, £20/€20 per person per day for holiday or undirected retreats, £25/€25 per person per day for directed retreats. Children 5 to 12 years old – half the adult amount, and day visitors are welcome to donate in cash or kind as they feel appropriate.
Individual Retreats – These can now be arranged at any time convenient to the retreatant and Jane’s availability.
Mentoring and prayer friendship can also be offered, either in person or via skype.
Regular Monastic Retreat Days
January – 12th
26th – Following the St Brendan liturgy
February – 16th
March – 2nd
16th 30th – Lent theme
April – 13th
(Palm Sunday)
May – 4th
18th – Following the St Brendan liturgy
June – 1st
29th
July – 13th
August – 3rd
17th 31st
September – 14th
28th
October – 12th
26th
November – 9th
30th – Advent theme
December – 14th
21st (carols) 25th service
Programme of retreats proposed for 2013
at L’Abri à Suvigny
Easter Weekend – 28thto 31st March 2013 –
A time to reflect on the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus, and an opportunity to renew vows at the shrine of St Columbanus. Suggested donation – 25 euro or pounds per person per day. Email: ncinfrance@gmail.com
Work Week - 1st to 5th April 2013 -
A time to come and share in the renovation or gardening at L' Abri à Suvigny through the rhythm of the day. Suggested donation - 20 euros per person per day. Email: ncinfrance@gmail.com
Trustees Weekend and Welcome into Companionship - 26th May. A day following the monastic rhythm with a special service of welcome into Companionship of the Northumbria community on the Sunday afternoon. All welcome.
Dutch Work Week –28thJuly to 4th August 2013 –
An opportunity for anyone from Holland to come for a few days of monastic rhythm and helping at Suvigny. Suggested donation – 20 euro or pounds per person per day. Email: ncinfrance@gmail.com
Family Holiday Week - 5th to 10th August 2013 -
An opportunity for families to come for a break in Normandy visiting local sites and beaches while staying at L'Abri à Suvigny. Suggested donation - 20 euros per adult and 10 euros per child from 5 to 12. Under 5 free. Email: ncinfrance@gmail.com
Work Week - 19th to 23rd August 2013-
An opportunity for anyone to come for a few days of monastic rhythm and helping at Suvigny. Suggested donation – 20 euro or pounds per person per day. Email: ncinfrance@gmail.com
Mother House Retreat at Suvigny - led by Roy Searle - 5th to 10th October 2013
A retreat designed to follow in the steps of Columbanus and visit other sacred sites in the area.
Email: office@northumbriacommunity.org
Individual Retreats – These can now be arranged at any time convenient to the retreatant and Jane’s availability.
Mentoring and prayer friendship can also be offered, either in person or via skype.
Fortnightly Monastic Retreat Days – The next dates arranged are:
24th February, 10th and 23rd March 2013.
We are looking at Henri Nouwen’s ‘life of the Beloved and practising Lectio Divina, and other related activities to inform our spiritual disciplines.
We are currently following the journey of St Brendan as found in the liturgy in Celtic Daily Prayer from the Northumbria Community.
We meet on the 14th and 21st April, 26th May, 9th, 16th and 30th June, 14th and 28th July, 11th and 25th August 2013.
Our next meetings for 2013 are:- 8th and 29th September, 20th October, 3rd and 24th November. We will start meeting in 2014 on the 12th January.
Day visitors and children
– we suggest any contribution in cash or kind that you feel appropriate. Please do not stay away for financial reasons.