CHAPTER XXV. Of Graver Faults 2 Mar. 2 July. 1 Nov. Let that brother who is found guilty of a more grievous offence be excluded both  from the table and from the Oratory, and let none of the brethren consort with him or speak to him. Let him be alone at the work enjoined him, and continue in penance and sorrow, remembering that dreadful sentence of the Apostle, “That such a one is delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” Let him take his portion of food alone, in the measure and at the time that the Abbot shall think ..read more

Saint John Paul II “Blessed is she who believed” (Luke 1:45). Mary also anticipated, in the mystery of the incarnation, the Church’s Eucharistic faith. When, at the Visitation, she bore in her womb the Word made flesh, she became in some way a “tabernacle” – the first “tabernacle” in history – in which the Son of God, still invisible to our human gaze, allowed himself to be adored by Elizabeth, radiating his light as it were through the eyes and the voice of Mary. (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 55) The Hidden Face of Christ The Face of Christ was hidden in Our Lady Saint Mary’s virginal womb: hi ..read more

CHAPTER XXIII. Of Excommunication for Offences 28 Feb. 30 June. 30 Oct.
 If any brother shall be found contumacious, or disobedient, or proud, or a murmurer, or in any way transgressing the Holy Rule, and contemning the orders of his seniors; let him, according to our Lord’s commandment, be once or twice privately admonished by his elders. If he do not amend, let him be rebuked in public before all. But if even then he do not correct himself, let him be subjected to excommunication, provided that he understand the nature of the punishment. Should he, however, prove incorrigible, let him under ..read more

Homily at Silverstream Priory Feast of Saints Peter and Paul 29 June 2020 Now I know One of the remarkable things about the Office and Mass of this feast of Saints Peter and Paul is that they are derived principally from the Acts of the Apostles. The Introit gives us the very words of Saint Peter after his delivery from prison by an Angel: “Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews” Acts 12:11).  Peter’s miraculous liberation was God’s answer to the prayer of the Church ..read more

CHAPTER XXII. How the Monks are to sleep 27 Feb. 29 June. 29 Oct. Let them sleep each one in a separate bed, receiving bedding suitable to their manner of life, as the Abbot shall appoint. If possible, let all sleep in one place: but if the number do not permit of this, let them repose by tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them. Let a candle burn constantly in the cell until morning. Let them sleep clothed, and girded with belts or cords – but not with knives at their sides, lest perchance they wound themselves in their sleep – and thus be always ready, so that when the sign ..read more

Given the very small space available for retreatants and guests, our monastic Oratory remains closed to the general public ..read more

Introit (Psalm 26:1-2, 3)The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen. V. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. At the Wednesday Audience of 21 April 2004, Saint John Paul II offered a memorable commentary on Psalm 26; he related the Psalm, given us as the Introit of today’s Mass, to the words of the Apostle. «It almost seems», he said, «as though we were hearing the voice of Saint Paul proclaiming: If ..read more

CHAPTER XXI. Of the Deans of the Monastery 26 Feb. 28 June. 28 Oct. Should the community be large, let there be chosen from it certain brethren of good repute and holy life, and appointed Deans. Let them carefully direct their deaneries in all things according to the commandments of God and the will of their Abbot. And let such men be chosen Deans as the Abbot may safely trust to share his burdens: let them not be chosen according to order, but for the merit of their lives and for their wisdom and learning. And should any one of them, being puffed up with pride, be found worthy of blame, and ..read more

CHAPTER XX. Of Reverence at Prayer 25 Feb. 27 June. 27 Oct. If, when we wish to make any request to men in power, we presume not to do so  except with humility and reverence; how much more ought we with all lowliness and purity of devotion to offer our supplications to the Lord God of all things? And let us remember that not for our much speaking, but for our purity of heart and tears of compunction shall we be heard. Our prayer, therefore, ought to be short and pure, except it be perchance prolonged by the inspiration of Divine Grace. But let prayer made in common always be short: and a ..read more

CHAPTER XIX. Of the Discipline of saying the Divine Office 24 Feb. 26 June. 26 Oct. We believe that the Divine presence is everywhere, and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the evil in every place. Especially should we believe this, without any doubt, when we are assisting at the Work of God. Let us, then, ever remember what the prophet saith: “Serve the Lord in fear”; and again, “Sing ye wisely” and, “In the sight of the angels I will sing praises unto Thee.” Therefore let us consider how we ought to behave ourselves in the presence of God and of His angels, and so assist at the ..read more