The administrative process of settling into the property continued during the past month, with the completion of the transfer of the Eskom electricity provision account and of the Bitou municipality account, and the renting of a mailbox with the local PostNet postal service. Coming to terms with the physical challenges also continued, with locks and latches being replaced, internal and external plumbing leaks being fixed and geyser elements being replaced. Fire safety equipment was serviced, the wastewater treatment system was revived, and an air-conditioning unit was relocated into the prayer space, so that the heat and humidity at Vespers evening prayer could be alleviated.

While the monks intend to do as much of the work on the property as possible ourselves, due to the size and complexity of the space we decided the use of a garden service to help bring the grounds under control was a prudent way forward. This means that we can have attractive and manageable gardens to support our hospitality when the time is right for us to open the guesthouse.

Our annual eight-day summer retreat early in the month provided opportunity for us each individually to attend to the spiritual process of settling into the property.

January 2026 News – The Blessing of St Benedict’s Monastery in HarkervilleRead More »