News from the Priory

This past month, Br Mpumelelo was able to enjoy time with family and friends in KZN, including a visit to the Sisters of the Community of Jesus’ Compassion. After his return, our monastic community enjoyed a braai lunch together while celebrating Br Mpumelelo’s birthday with him. Earlier that same weekend, we had also enjoyed a time of celebration of Esther de Gruchy’s birthday together with her family and friends.

Br Josias hosted a first online session of South African Associates meeting together to begin discussing the book, A Hidden Wholeness (The Journey Toward an Undivided Life) by Parker J Palmer. The Associates will continue the book discussion on a monthly basis. Br Josias continued to spend time at the local Ithemba special-needs centre most weeks.

Br Aelred participated in another module of the online Spiritual Direction course he has been attending. Brothers continued to provide spiritual accompaniment to individuals online.

May 2025 NewsRead More »

September featured two Anglican Archdeaconry clergy retreats at Volmoed. Clergy from Helderberg Archdeaconry joined us for chapel prayers during their retreat that was led by Rev Wilma. One of the clergy also met with Br Aelred for spiritual accompaniment.

Later in the month, clergy from Constantia Archdeaconry joined us for chapel prayers during their annual retreat, which they have made at Volmoed for the past several years. Brothers made themselves available for individual spiritual accompaniment, and Brs Aelred and Roger were involved in this ministry.

September 2024 NewsRead More »

At the beginning of August, in his capacity as the Vocations Director for southern Africa, Br Luc travelled to KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape, to make home visits with three men who had enquired about possibly joining our monastic community and whom he has been accompanying in initial discernment. These visits helped clarify that one man does not seem to have a vocation to our way of life, one is not yet ready to take the next steps, and one will continue in the discernment process, perhaps making a visit here to spend some with us relatively soon.

Br Daniel also travelled during the month, in his case to visit with an elderly nun in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape, with whom he has had a close friendship developed over many years. It seems she does not have much longer before she departs for her heavenly homeland, and so it was good for them to have some time together again. She is the last remaining member of her Order – the Society of the Precious Blood – in South Africa, an Order that faithfully held this country in prayer through the end of apartheid, which added a special poignancy.

August 2024 NewsRead More »

After the excitement and activity of our Order’s annual Chapter gathering here at Volmoed in the first half of June, our monastic community’s annual 8-day winter retreat in the second half of July was a much-appreciated time of quiet reflection. During the retreat, we follow a reduced schedule of chapel prayer, and apart from the mid-day meal in common we spend much of the time in solitary silence, allowing for longer periods of prayer and study and attentiveness.

July 2024 NewsRead More »