Mount Saint Bernard Abby

Introduction

In 1844, the new monastery, designed by Augustus Welby Pugin, opened on the site where it still stands. In 1848, Mount Saint Bernard was raised to the status of an Abbey with the first English Abbot since the Reformation, Dom Bernard Palmer.

History

The foundation of the abbey was made in 1835. In 1794 at Lulworth, Dorset, a monastery of Cistercians was set up by monks who fled the French Revolution. The community went back to France to enter the monastery of Melleray near Nantes in Brittany. The Revolution of 1830 dispersed the Melleray community in the following year and caused most of the British monks to be sent to Ireland.

The idea of a new foundation in England began to take shape in 1833 when Fr Norbert Woolfrey was asked to raise funds in England. Br Augustine took possession of a four-roomed cottage in Tynt Meadow on 29th September 1835. Augustus Welby Pugin offered his services free to design the permanent monastery. In 1844, the new monastery was opened with only the monastic choir side of the church erected and the monks' quarters.

Fr Bernard Burder was appointed superior, then elected abbot in 1853. Father Bartholomew Anderson was appointed superior; then, in 1862, abbot. In 1910 Father Louis Carew was appointed superior and led the community till 1927, until Dom Celsus O'Connell was appointed superior. In 1935 work commenced on adding the sanctuary, the transepts, the tower and the nave.

The church was completed in 1938, just before World War II. The consecration ceremony took place on 20th August 1945. In 1963 a foundation was begun in the West Cameroons, with 6 monks from Mount St Bernard going out to build and establish the monastery. In 2001, a new abbot was elected for 6 years, and was re-elected for another 6 years after this.

In 2013 a superior was appointed for 2 years, then elected abbot in 2015 for a 6 year term. The brewery logo features a sketch of the lancet windows characteristic of the church.

Architecture and furnishings

Albert Herbert, the architect commissioned to complete the abbey church, changed Pugin's original steeple-tower design to the present tower. Edward Pugin, son of Augustus Welby Pugin, designed the clock tower, the octagonal chapter house, and the guesthouse.

Parish life

The community runs a guesthouse open to pilgrims and retreatants who wish to share in the monastic rhythm of prayer and peace. The community runs a monastic shop selling its produce and a wide range of artwork and books. The community's main work has always been the cultivation of the land, but in 2013 farming was no longer viable at Mount Saint Bernard. In 2017-18 the community relocated its refectory, kitchen, and laundry to provide space for the installation of a new artisanal brewery.

As of 2018, the brewery is the community's principal field of labour, with all the work from brewing to bottling and packaging done by the monks. The community's beer, Tynt Meadow, is named after the plot of land on which monastic life was refounded in the Midlands almost two centuries ago.

The community runs a guesthouse that offers guests a small room with a bed, clean linen, a towel, a chair, a desk and a lamp. The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked to respect the desire for peace and quiet, especially after Compline. The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked to refrain from smoking in the guest house. The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked to return all books to the library after finishing with them.

The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked to avoid entering other guests' rooms, talking loudly, or using audio equipment without a headset. The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked to lock their car, leaving valuables out of sight. The community runs a guesthouse that is open to guests, but guests are asked not to enter the enclosure of the monastery unless accompanied by one of the brethren.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Guests are invited to join in the celebration of the liturgy throughout the day, especially the community Eucharist. The guesthouse is unstaffed and depends on guests' cooperation and assistance with clearing tables, covering and putting away food, and washing-up after meals. The guesthouse is a place of hospitality, peace, and encounter.