30 April
This afternoon it was a delight to welcome, as part of their pilgrimage, ‘In the Footsteps of St Benedict,’ educators from a group of Benedictine Schools in the Sydney area, imbued with the spirit of the Good Samaritan sisters.

Arriving under blue skies and sunshine which have been rare this month, the pilgrims were welcomed by Abbess Anna and then given a tour of the abbey church before joining the community for conversation and an English cream tea. A lively debate broke out as to whether to put the cream or the jam next to the scone!

After a visit to the abbey shop there was opportunity for silent prayer in church while some heard more of Stanbrook’s history from Sr Philippa.

It was encouraging to hear – although as one of the group said, these things are difficult to quantify – how the young people attending these Benedictine schools seem to absorb the Benedictine values of respect, reverence and peace.

Appropriately the afternoon concluded with the group joining us to pray Vespers.

From the House Chronicle for 30 April 2024