A Message From the Director
The ministry of hospitality is one of the key elements of the Benedictine monastic charism. This hospitality assumes many and diverse forms; but one of the most significant and fruitful expressions of it in recent times is the offering of opportunities for spiritual development, for study and for prayerful reflection. The various retreats and study weekends offered by the New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies continue in this tradition. Participants in our weekends have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the tranquillity, peace and beauty of a traditional monastic environment, and to encounter God- and themselves- in a renewed way.
Our offerings for 2019 generated much enthusiastic appreciation, and attracted very strong attendances. We are confident that our programme for this year will build upon this, and continue to address the needs and interests of contemporary spiritual seekers in an engaging and reflective way.
We hope that you will find something of interest here, and look forward to your visit to New Norcia in 2020.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Robert Nixon, osb
Please download the 2020 Programme. To register and pay for any of the retreats, study weekends or Benedictine Experience weekends please click link to go to the webshop. Please note there are two pages of weekends on the webshop.
Upcoming Events
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Jun 11 2021toJun 13 2021
Study Weekend
The Imitation of Christ: A Spiritual Classic Revisited
It is often said that, apart from the Bible, the most influential work of literature in Christian spirituality is The Imitation of Christ. This small book, written by Thomas a Kempis in the 15th century, has been a treasured source of inspiration and guidance for followers of Jesus for over 500 years, and continues to be relevant, encouraging and strengthening....
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Jun 25 2021toJun 27 2021
Study Weekend
The Blessings of Life’s Eventide: Growing Older with God
Every stage of human life presents its unique blessings, challenges and opportunities for spiritual insights and deepening of one’s relationship with God. This weekend will explore these in the particular context of the experience of ageing, which is often undervalued and under-appreciated in our mainstream culture...
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Jul 16 2021toJul 18 2021
New Norcia Guesthouse
Benedictine Experience Weekend
Benedictine spirituality is more readily experienced than defined. These weekends in the Monastery Guesthouse (beginning with Vespers at 6.30pm on Friday, concluding after lunch on Sunday) provide the opportunity to enter fully into the monastic rhythm and balance of prayer, work, lectio divina, hospitality and community life. There will be opportunities to ponder the riches of the scriptures and monastic literature, both in group discussions and personal silence and solitude, bringing from the ‘storeroom, things both new and old.’
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Aug 6 2021toAug 8 2021
Study Weekend
St. Bernard of Clairvaux: A Spiritual Luminary of the Monastic Tradition
St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a 12th century monk, of foundational importance in the Cistercian Order, a reformed form of Benedictine monasticism. Not only was he a charismatic and effective abbot, but his writings reflect profound and beautiful insights into the mystery of God, Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
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Aug 21 2021toAug 21 2021
Abbot’s Table : Winter : 21 August 2021
On October 10th 2020, Abbot John donned a kitchen apron to share his former life as a chef, working in some of Melbourne’s finest award-winning restaurants of the 1980s. Access the menu and feedback here. We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2021 series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition at the grand old New Norcia Hostel: ‘La table de l’abbé’ The Abbot’s Table