Once a year the atmospheric ruins of St Benet’s Abbey resound with the prayers and praise of open-air worship.
On a summer Sunday close to St Benet’s Day, the Bishop of Norwich arrives by traditional sailing wherry as abbot of the only monastic house in England not closed by Henry VIII.
The annual service is arranged by the St Benet’s Community – and this year local rector the Revd Ben Bradshaw is hoping to expand and regenerate the community.
“Would you value following a simple rule of life which can help you to live out your Christian discipleship?” asks Father Ben. “Would you appreciate regular meetings to share in prayer, fellowship, and support, as we look to deepen our spiritual lives?
“If so, St Benet’s Community could be for you!”
He is looking for people – men and women, single or married, lay or clergy – interested in bringing inspiration from Benedictine spirituality into their own day-to-day lives.
“The community is open to everyone!” he said. “It is currently centred around the parish of Horning and is a continuation of the original monastic order who established themselves at St Benet’s abbey in the ninth century.”
As rector of the benefice of St Benedict, including the parish of Horning, he is also Prior of St Benet’s.
More than 1,000 years ago King Canute gave land near beside the River Bure to a group of monks to build the abbey, and there are stories of holy hermits living here even earlier. The monks followed the rules of St Benedict (or Benet in medieval English). Five centuries later St Benet’s was the only religious house in England and Wales not closed by Henry VIII. Instead he gave it to the Bishop of Norwich and to this day every Bishop of Norwich is also Abbot of St Benet’s.
Father Ben would love to extend membership of the St Benet’s Community across Norfolk and beyond and has enlisted the support and guidance of Anglican Benedictine monks from Mirfield in West Yorkshire.
“This will be the first time since just after the Reformation, some 500 years ago, that an actual monastic community will once again be involved in the life of St Benet’s. It is very exciting” said Father Ben, who trained as a priest at Mirfield.
Anyone interested in Benedictine spirituality and becoming part of the community can find out more at a special service on Saturday April 12. The afternoon will start at St Benedict’s Church, Horning, and finish with a short service at St Benet’s Abbey. Mirfield monk Father John Gribben will be there to formalise the link with St Benet’s.
“Please be assured that there is no need to make any sort of commitment on the day! Simply come along, have a chat, and see if it is something you think would be beneficial for your own spiritual journey,” said Father Ben.
“With regular meetings throughout the year both in person and online this is a fantastic opportunity that is open to everyone who is interested in the Rule of St Benedict. The community offers support, companionship, and a path of Christian discipleship that is inspired by the teaching of St Benedict.
“Following the way of St Benedict helps to keep us grounded, helps to keep us focused, helps us to keep our priorities in order and helps us to keep our eyes on God.
“We will work together to create our own rule of life – nothing burdensome or unachievable. Rather it should help members to progress with their spiritual journey and draw closer to God.”
To find out more about the St Benet’s Community contact the Revd Ben Bradshaw on 01692 630216 or brother_ben@btinternet.com, or meet at St Benedict’s church, Horning, at 2pm on Saturday April 12.
The 2025 annual open air St Benet’s service is at 3.30pm on Sunday July 27.
Pictures of St Benet’s Abbey and the Bishop of Norwich and Abbot of St Benet’s arriving for the annual service, by Jason Bye
