The Southwest Ordinariate Group arranged a Confirmation Mass - celebrated by the Ordinary, the Rt. Rev. Keith Newton at 15.00 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
After a long illness Dom Fergus died on Friday 18th January 2013, aged 73 and 12 years professed.
The continuing restoration work in the Abbey Church has nearly completed the Lantern Gallery under the Ringing Chamber of the Tower. The painted ceiling shows Christ Pantocrator surrounded by the Court of Heaven. The ceiling was painted by members of the monastic community.
The High Sheriff of Devon, Mr. Robin Barlow DL FRICS, attended the 10.30 Mass. Mr. Barlow began his year as High Sheriff in March 2012 at Buckfast with a Mass and his swearing in, the latter taking place in the Medieval Guest Hall. It was fitting that at the end of his year as High Sheriff he and his family should be at Mass in the Abbey Church. It will be noted that the interior cleaning of the Church has now reached the Sanctuary as evidenced by the scaffolding.
The pictures show the start of the Palm Sunday ceremony at the 12th Century North Gate of the Monastery. From there the procession moved to the West Door of the Abbey Church.
The talks took place in the Saint Cuthbert Conference Centre.
The completion of the North Aisle Floor
and the cleaning of the Coronation of Our Lady stone carving and also the cleaning of the windows above the High Altar and Sanctuary.
The Choir, under the direction of Nigel Groome, sang at the 10.30 Mass and at Evensong according to the usage of the Ordinariate at 15.30.
Counterpoint, directed by David Acres, regularly give concerts of sacred music in the Abbey Church. The choir has had a long association with Groupe Chorale "Jef le Penven" a French choir from Quimper, Brittany. On the evening of Friday 10th May both choirs sang at Buckfast. It was difficult to get better pictures because of the continuing restoration work in the Abbey Church.
The Abbey Choir sang Vespers of the Ascension in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Dartmouth. This was part of the town Music Festival. Father Abbot presided.
These photographs were taken around the monastery river bridge which is over the River Dart. The white flowers are Wild Garlic.
Procession of the Blessed Sacrament on the eve of the Solemnity of Corpus Christ. The procession made its way from the Abbey Church to the Medieval Guest Hall (15th cent). Following the prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart and Benediction the congregation processed back to the Abbey Church.
On the Solemnity of St. Boniface - Patron of the Diocese of Plymouth, those who work at St. Boniface House held a social gathering to celebrate their first year of occupancy. St. Boniface House was once one of the farms of Buckfast Abbey. It is now the main set of Diocesan Offices. It is situated across the River Dart from the Abbey.
The General Chapter of the E.B.C. took place at Belmont Abbey near Hereford. The Chapter usually gathers every four years and consists of the Abbots, Abbesses and delegates of the monasteries.
Challenging Memories: Silence and Empathy in Heritage Interpretation.
Keynote speakers: Professor Jay Winter (Yale University) and Dr.Elizabeth Bonshek (University of Canberra) The Conference was arranged through the Buckfast Abbey Education Department.
Unleashed Theatre Company and Buckfast Abbey present ‘Shadowlands' - William Nicholson's Award winning play, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis. The heart-rending story of the unlikely romance that blossomed between the author, C.S.Lewis and the American poet Joy Davidman. The performances were in the Schiller Hall, Buckfast Abbey. The play was directed by Jude Earnshaw. Original Score by Simon Zimmerman.
The Buckfast Corona is modelled on the Barbarossa Corona in Aachen Cathedral, Germany.
The floor in the Nave of the Abbey Church is now dug up and a new one is being laid. Sunday Mass is in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The pictures also show the new Director of Music, Philip Arkwright, rehearsing the Abbey Choir in the Chapter House and the Congregation in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel before Mass on Sunday 22nd September 2013.
Annual Men's Retreat - the Parish of Our Lady of the Portal and St. Perrin , Truro.
Autumn colours around the Abbey Church
and along the River Dart.
Mass followed by Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament until Vespers.
The RSCM Annual Advent Carol Service is held on the Saturday before the 1st Sunday of Advent. The conductor was peter Parshall and the organist, Nicholas Brown.
The Corona Lucis can be seen to be covered - having just been cleaned. The High Altar is now in the process of being cleaned. The new curtains behind the Altar are covered with plastic to keep the dust off. The new floor is now laid and parts of it can be seen in the photographs of the Nave. All should be ready for Christmas.
Bishop Christopher Budd of Plymouth made his last Parish Visitation as Bishop of the Diocese over the weekend of Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd of Advent. The pictures are of the main Mass in the Abbey Church - still showing signs of the continuing restoration work.
A plainchant study afternoon was held on Sunday 15th December in the monastery Chapter House. The participants prepared for a Service of Evening Prayer in the Abbey Church at 17.00.
The Christmas Crib and various views of the restored areas of the Abbey Church.
Group photograph of those attending CSAS (Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service) Safeguarding Training here at Buckfast to develop skills and understanding - to help create a safer culture.
