Ampleforth Abbey Podcast

This subject is approached through a reading of the third chapter of the book of the prophet Habakkuk. Particular attention is paid to the last few verses of this chapter, which are often held to be one of the strongest expressions of this faith, hope and trust in the Bible 

As part of the preparation for the 1500th anniversary in 2029 of the founding of Monte Cassino in 529 the theme for the Benedictine World this year is ‘awaken’. This Home Retreat will consider what we are waking from and what we are waking to…

This Home Retreat describes some experiences common to those who answer God’s call, not only the sense of expectation and hope of fulfilment that it offers, but also the centrality of the Cross and how being willing to embrace it strengthens faith and a sense of peace and vocation in a way that might not have been imagined. 

Download the text for this Home Retreat: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vyV7rXZvJEOB4qX-ym4cQyEY1k9JG4Z3/view?usp=sharing 

Link to the website for Brian Swimme: https://storyoftheuniverse.org/videos/#cttc

'A retreat is always an invitation to conversion. It would be difficult to find a better guide on the way of conversion than the greatest of concerts, perhaps also the greatest of Christian theologians, St Augustine of Hippo.'

Link to the Discourse of St Dorotheus of Gaza: https://www.ampleforthabbey.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/dorotheus-discourse-4.pdf 

Download the text of this Home Retreat: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QekKn_LA17OUOiI2CPje0jbaJA7DYjJ6/view?usp=drivesdk

Fr Phillip delivers this weeks Home retreat titled: ' Too clever by half... or humbly wise?' 

Fr Wulstan delivers this weeks home Retreat titled: ' Where is Life?' 

Fr Luke gives this weeks Home Retreat titled: 'The Annunciation'

Reference picture: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AYfNVyRxz7wZyQKfj4IxESR1Yj_FXDxo/view?usp=sharing

'Over the years I've preached homilies at about fifty weddings. There are things I've thought of saying, decided to avoid, but still saved. This is an attempt to bring all those together in one imagined homily.'

'St Francis invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants to us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. Beyond the language of mathematics and biology he takes us to the heart of what it is to be human….. just as happens when we fall in love with someone.' - Laudato Si 12

Suggested Timetable: (But do make your own)

11.00 Talk –

11.30 Read through the talk again.

11.45 Coffee break

12.00 – 13.00 Remember a time you experienced ‘being in love’.

How would it be...

Abbot Robert gives this weeks Home Retreat titled: 'Who do you think you are?'

On Monday 25th May Pope Leo released his first encyclical entitled: Magnifica Humanitas. In this Home Retreat Fr Richard shares his reactions.

The Passing of Our Holy Father St Benedict, as described by St Gregory the Great in his Dialogues, reminds us of what is central to our lives as Christians and specifically to any such life guided by the teaching of St Benedict, namely learning to prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ, so that in purity of heart we might be brought to the vision of God.

This Home Retreat explores how we might come to find true rest in God.

I would like to reflect with you again on the message of Laudato Si on its 10th Anniversary – but from a different angle. Daniel O’Leary has written a book called An Astonishing Secret, using quotes from Laudato Si. It has 40 Chapters. I will probably not read all of them, but certainly the most relevant. The first is called: Loving the Earth – God’s Living Body. (Daniel wrote during Pope Francis’ Pontificate, so his words are in the present tense. I have not changed them!

Tomorrow is Pentecost or Whit Sunday, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, all huddled together in fear in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It transformed them from being wretched fugitives into being courageous missioners of the Good News..

Home Retreat 'How does the cross save us?' by Fr Richard