During one week, between the 18th and 25th January, our Sclerder Abbey was very quiet, hosting a nice group of people who came to experience a retreat in silence. Almost six days long, there wasn’t much more to hear than the hymns, songs and psalms sung throughout the week, the bell ringing to remind the different schedules (prayer times, teachings, workshops and meals) to the participants who had switched off their phones and, of course, the usual hustle and bustle of the washing-up.
The weather was nice enough to let the retreatants enjoy the beautiful landscape and the amazing view of the sea, the singing of the birds and the chattering of our eighteen chickens throughout the day.
Some of them were happy to help in the garden – weeding, moving the compost, removing the ivy – while others found their joy in giving a very precious hand in the house. Every day, the cooking team prepared delicious meals, partly with the harvest of the garden.
Our little community of Sclerder is very happy to be able to share both treasures, of this amazing place in Cornwall and of the Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. If you are interested, there will be a second silent retreat given in May (3d to 10th) in the Abbey. Registration is open here: