From the Director's Desk
The New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies seeks to broaden and deepen awareness of the monastic tradition within Christianity. Offering an environment conducive to prayer, study and reflection with excellence in teaching and research, the Institute aims to encourage participants at all stages of life to reflect on their journey of faith with the pastoral support of rich traditions in prayer, discernment and discipleship, whether as lay people, professed religious, academics, or in ordained ministry.
New Norcia Guesthouse Spirituality Retreats
In keeping with St Benedict’s rule of hospitality for guests, the Monastery Guesthouse welcomes all to a place of retreat for individuals and groups from all walks of life and beliefs seeking quietly to share the simple life, prayer and rhythms of the Benedictine monastic community of New Norcia.
Retreats begin with Vespers at 6.30pm Friday and conclude with lunch on Sunday.
Cost: $250 per person (for those who can afford it). Includes accommodation, meals and entry to the Museum and Art Gallery.
Institute Retreats
As part of the regular Spirituality programme of New Norcia, the Institute offers a number of weekend retreats. Recommended cost for retreats is $260.
Research and Sabbatical Opportunities
Opportunities for research or recuperative sabbaticals of varying length are available through the programmes and facilities offered by the New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies.
The Institute houses an excellent research library with resources for both monastic and theological study. Arrangements can be made for accommodation (either self-catering or fully serviced) and research facilities to be made available for both short and extended stays.
Reading / Study Weekends and Weeks
The study weekends aim to deepen participants’ awareness of the Benedictine Tradition and the possibilities it holds for enriching one’s faith and ministry. All texts for the study weekends are available at www.amazon.com or through the Institute.
Calendar of Events
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Jan 30 2015toFeb 6 2015
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Apr 17 2015toApr 19 2015
Retreat
Into Deep Silence
Our world today has forgotten both the benefit and the joy of silence and solitude which, as Thomas Merton ocso says, is necessary for the fullness of living a truly human life. In this retreat we will enter into the deep silence where God lies hidden within each of us.
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May 1 2015toMay 3 2015
Reading Weekend
Towards God
Most of us at some stage realize we need help for our prayer life and the study of the contents of this book may well provide such help. Using some of the teaching of important writers in the tradition such as Augustine, John Cassian, St Bernard. St Gregory, St Benedict, Julian of Norwich, Fr Michael Casey, an Australian Cistercian monk, explores ways of developing and sustaining our own prayer life. The book is obviously based on personal experience and this makes the book extraordinarily helpful and easily accessible.
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Jun 17 2015toJun 24 2015
Graduate Unit
Medieval Monastic Wisdom CH/DS9300P and CH/DS3300P
This unit explores the development of the monastic movement in the Medieval Church from 500 - 1500, with an emphasis on the examination of primary sources. The unit will present both an historical study of and insights into the spirituality emanating from both male and female monastics during these centuries of Christian monasticism. It offers a method into the study of these texts in the light of present day formation for ministry and mission.
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Jun 19 2015toJun 21 2015
Reading Weekend
Faithfully Together as One Body of Christ
Worship is pivotal to the life of a Benedictine community and indeed, to all Christians. This weekend will trace the evolution of Christian worship. We will focus on liturgical issues relating to inculturation, popular religion, and the social responsibility that authentic worship requires. Consideration will be given to some social issues and their impact on our worship: the break-up of the parish community and decline in church attendance; the clergy shortage; ecumenical liturgical cooperation and interreligious dialogue; the credibility of preaching; and how worship welcomes or excludes the marginalised.
