The Benedictine nuns of Holy Trinity Monastery, East Hendred, are the newest community in the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth, having been established by Bishop Crispian Hollis in 2004 as an autonomous monastery of diocesan right. The three founding members were previously nuns of Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester, and as moniales (nuns) in solemn vows are heirs to a long monastic tradition based on the Rule of Saint Benedict.Nuns of Holy Trinity Monastery
Searching for God
At Hendred we are committed to searching for God according to St Benedict's threefold pattern of prayer, work and study. Our life in community is lived in a way that is traditional yet contemporary: this web site is a good introduction to the way in which we try to maintain a creative balance between the two.
Prayer, Work and Study
The rhythm of each day flows from our celebration of the Divine Office. Vigils, Lauds, Midday Prayer (incorporating all the so-called Little Hours), Vespers and Compline, sung in English or Latin, form a backdrop to every other activity. Mass is celebrated either in our oratory or one of the local churches; and each of us gives time to personal contemplative prayer and study, as well as fitting in work and other activities. No request for prayer ever goes unheeded, so if you would like us to pray for you, please use the online form on our Prayerline page.
Hospitality
Although we have only one guest bedroom (and that for ladies only), we try to welcome all who come, whether believer or unbeliever, "tamquam Christus" — as though they were Christ — to share the liturgy, meals, our library and whatever else we can of monastic life and values. During the course of the year we organize a number of days of recollection, talks and meetings where people can explore some of the big questions that engage us all, or learn more about the Catholic Faith.
A Shared Cloister
Associates and oblates are an important and growing part of our wider community — men and women joined to us by a special bond who seek to live out in their homes and workplaces the spirit of St Benedict's Rule. Our regular Prayer Podcast and blog — Colophon — help us all keep in touch. Our latest venture is an online Virtual Chapter which allows people from all over the world to engage with the community in real time without having to journey to the monastery. It is part of our commitment to using modern technology to make monasticism more accessible without destroying the peace and recollection of the cloister.
