Ampleforth Abbey Podcast

Home Retreat: Fr Oswald - 'Independence Day?' Jul 4, 2026 1355

Fr Richard - 'Thoughts on Magnifica Humanitas' Jul 3, 2026 1184 On Monday 25th May Pope Leo released his first encyclical entitled: Magnifica Humanitas. In this Home Retreat Fr Richard shares his reactions.

Home Retreat: Fr Henry - 'The Lord's Prayer' Jul 3, 2026 875

Fr Phillip 'Tales of the Unexpected' Jan 31, 2026 477

Fr Wulstan 'To Prefer Nothing to the Love of Christ' Jan 24, 2026 460 The Passing of Our Holy Father St Benedict, as described by St Gregory the Great in his Dialogues, reminds us of what is central to our lives as Christians and specifically to any such life guided by the teaching of St Benedict, namely learning to prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ, so that in purity of heart we might be brought to the vision of God.

Fr Abbot Robert 'A LIFE WORTH FIGHTING FOR' Dec 20, 2025 792

Home Retreat: "What Are We Fighting For?" by Fr Abbot Robert Sep 27, 2025 922

Home Retreat: 'The Desire for God and the Gift of His Peace' by Fr Wulstan Aug 2, 2025 603 This Home Retreat explores how we might come to find true rest in God.

Home Retreat: 'St Joachim and Anne' by Fr Luke Jul 26, 2025 1074

Home Retreats: 'John Chapman OSB' by Fr Chad Jul 24, 2025 970

Home Retreat: ‘An Astonishing Secret - Daniel O’Leary’ by Fr Christopher Jul 14, 2025 778 I would like to reflect with you again on the message of Laudato Si on its 10th Anniversary – but from a different angle. Daniel O’Leary has written a book called An Astonishing Secret, using quotes from Laudato Si. It has 40 Chapters. I will probably not read all of them, but certainly the most relevant. The first is called: Loving the Earth – God’s Living Body. (Daniel wrote during Pope Francis’

Home Retreat: 'Joy' Fr Richard Jun 14, 2025 738

Home Retreat: 'Pentecost Eve' by Fr Henry Jun 7, 2025 1253 Tomorrow is Pentecost or Whit Sunday, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, all huddled together in fear in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. It transformed them from being wretched fugitives into being courageous missioners of the Good News..

Home Retreat: ‘Less is more’ by Fr Phillip May 17, 2025 737

'Holy Desire' Fr Wulstan May 10, 2025 628

Home Retreat: ‘Hope and Mercy in the Jubilee Year’ by Fr Luke May 3, 2025 969

Home Retreat: 'Restorative Justice' by Fr Christopher Apr 12, 2025 615

Home Retreat: 'THE NEED TO BE HEALED' by Fr Abbot Robert Apr 8, 2025 858

'I feel like turning just like him for home - that I may also start again' by Fr Bede Mar 29, 2025 1778

Home Retreat: The Rule as a Living Document - Fr Oswald Mar 22, 2025 1342

Home Retreat 'How does the cross save us?' by Fr Richard Mar 15, 2025 1280 Home Retreat 'How does the cross save us?' by Fr Richard

Home Retreat: ‘Lent’ by Fr Henry Mar 8, 2025 844 St Benedict’s approach to Lent is a paradox—while it calls for self-denial, it is also marked by joy. True joy, he teaches, comes from our renewed efforts in faith, as we set aside compromises and distractions to embrace a more intentional spiritual life. The journey begins with an honest examination of conscience, recognizing where we fall short and how we might grow in love and kindness.Througho

Home Retreat: 'The Message of Lourdes and the Jubilee' by Fr Oswald Feb 15, 2025 1201 Home Retreat: 'The Message of Lourdes and the Jubilee' by Fr Oswaldhttps://www.ampleforthlourdes.org.uk/

Home Retreat: 'OF ASHES AND EMBERS: REKINDLING THE FIRE OF FAITH' by Fr Philip Feb 10, 2025 597 How might we invigorate our sometimes detached assent to the faith we profess? Without expecting some kind of unrealistic quick-fix, surely a quest for inspiration in the great Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah would be a good place to seek new fire and fervour. With Lent and Passiontide not so far off, we have a rich seam to explore.

Home Retreat: ‘The Central Problem of Hate’ by Fr Christopher Feb 1, 2025 891 The longer we live in this world, we’re forced to ask the question,‘What makes so many people so mean? What creates mean-spirited people’? What is behind that hate and what I just called mean-spiritedness?’ Maybe that’s really what we see more often than overt hatred.

Fr Abbot 'DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED' Dec 21, 2024 696

Home Retreat 'The Miraculous Medal' by Fr Luke Dec 14, 2024 1133

Home Retreat: 'December Infancy Stories' by Fr Henry Dec 7, 2024 1067 As Advent begins, this retreat invites us to explore the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke, uncovering their rich connections to the Old Testament. From the annunciations to Mary, Joseph, and Zechariah to the visit of the wise men, these stories reveal Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan for His people.We’ll reflect on themes of divine purpose, joy, and the biblical parallels that shape th

Home Retreat: ‘His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom’ by Fr Oswald Nov 23, 2024 1132 Each year, the Church ends the annual liturgical cycle with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In this Home Retreat, Fr Oswald reflects on the history and significance of this great feast, and what it might mean for each of us as we move as "Pilgrims of Hope" into the Great Jubilee Year of 2025.

Home Retreat: 'The Lord is a God of Mercy' by Fr Wulstan Nov 16, 2024 619 This Home Retreat considers how by sharing in God’s mercy and love the believer may truly become like Him.

Home Retreat: 'Hope v. Optimism: Trusty Beacon or Wrecker’s Lantern?’ by Fr Philip Nov 9, 2024 753 Nothing, it is said, succeeds like success. Failing that, a euphoric ‘feel-good factor’ is the salesman’s staunch friend in loosening purse-strings and skewing judgement. The theological virtue of hope, however, cannot be confused with mere human optimism. What might the Word of God offer us to help distinguish between these two ‘non-siblings?’

Home Retreat: ‘How to die gracefully’ by Fr Chad Nov 4, 2024 1175 The commemoration of All Souls provides a moment to reflect on how we die. Is death something that just happens to us, the thief in the night?Or is the great transition which we learn how to embrace, the welcome guest?

Home Retreat: 'St Benedict, the Patron of Europe' By Fr Luke Oct 26, 2024 902 23 October marks the sixtieth anniversary of the proclamation of St Benedict as Patron of Europe by Pope St Paul VI. Fr Luke reflects on what this means today.

Home Retreat: ‘Fear or Reverence’ by Fr Henry Oct 19, 2024 1126 What should our attitude to God be? Should we fear God, be in terror of God, dread God, or revere God? It all began with a question: how should the Hebrew word pahat be translated when applied to the attitude of a believer to God? The obvious, common meaning is ‘fear’ But is ‘fear’ too sharp. Should we be frightened of God? Is it inappropriate to have fear between lovers?

Home Retreat: 'We were made for these times' by Fr Bede Oct 12, 2024 1097 ..chosen born nurtured & entrusted to make a real difference to real life & real faith October 2024

Home Retreat: 'Transformative Religion' By Fr Christopher Oct 5, 2024 764 ‘Richard Rohr asks how we came to populate a religion whose characteristic is ‘belonging’ rather than a religion which is transformative. This retreat addresses this question.Suggested Timetable for the Home Retreat Day (But do make your own).11.00 Home Retreat: Transformative Religion11.20 Coffee Break11.45 Read the Talk again.12.00 Watch the video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhPr75g0Ors13.

Home Retreat: "Anguish and Distress in the Christian Journey" Sep 28, 2024 879 Starting from Psalm 118 verse 143 ‘Though anguish and distress have found me, your commands are my delight’, this home retreat will consider briefly the experience of Elijah, Jeremiah, the suffering servant, Job, Jonah, Tobit, the author of Psalm 87 and then focus particularly on the experience of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Abbot Robert: 'What to do when God seems absent' Sep 21, 2024 847 Home Retreats Archive:This Home Retreat is from 26th November 2022.Abbot Robert offers six pointers on what to do when you are going through a time when God seems absent and silent.

Home Retreat: "One Way of Praying the Rosary" By Fr Richard Sep 14, 2024 1081 Next month, October, is the month of the Rosary. The Rosary is not everyone’s cup of tea. Fr Richard will offer one way of using the Rosary to pray, pondering the different mysteries.

Home Retreat: ‘The Crucifixion’ by Fr Henry Aug 31, 2024 973 "I wish to consider the Crucifixion of the Son of God. I should begin by saying that this is going to be a tough one, intellectually and emotionally. Should the truth always be told? Tough though it may be, it helps us to understand more fully the limitless love of Jesus for ourselves..."

'By faith, not by sight: When believing is not seeing.' by Fr Phillip Aug 24, 2024 772 We all know the value of fair-weather friends. And fair-weather faith is no better. In a world with so many reasons for discouragement – how does one retain a genuine trust in God’s Providence which possesses deeper roots than wishful thinking?

'Becoming Pilgrims of Hope' by Fr Oswald Aug 17, 2024 1195 The Holy Father has announced that next year's Jubilee will take the theme "Pilgrims of Hope". In this Home Retreat, Fr Oswald will reflect on pilgrimage, and how we might prepare in this year of prayer for our celebration of the great Jubilee of 2025.

Home Retreat: 'A Cloud of Witnesses VII: Lanspergius' by Fr Cedd Aug 10, 2024 947 Fr Cedd discusses a sermon of the sixteenth century German Carthusian monk, Johannes Justus Landsperg, known as Lanspergius.

Home Retreat: 'Self-knowledge Leading to true Life in Christ' by Fr Wulstan Aug 6, 2024 631 This Home Retreat considers how our recognition of our fundamental need for God draws us close to Christ.

Home Retreat: "One Truth" by Fr Christopher Jul 20, 2024 604 ‘Some scientists have this wonderful ability to show there is one world, one truth. Maybe they have come to it through their own thinking, but we’re coming to that same thing through our being.’

Home Retreat: 'Still full of sap, still green – Benedictine fruitfulness today' by Fr Chad Jul 13, 2024 1157 In the week that we celebrate St Benedict as patron of Europe, this talk will look at his continuing relevance to our world today, and how both his Rule and his life can inspire our response to this time of crisis.

Home Retreat: ‘Praying in need of healing’ by Fr Gabriel Jul 6, 2024 944 This home retreat begins with Psalm 118 verse 132: “Turn and have mercy on me, as is your rule for those who love your name” and then moves to the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus in Mark chapter 10 verses 46 to 52

Home Retreat: ‘WHAT IS YOUR HEART LOOKING FOR?’ by Fr Abbot Jun 22, 2024 725 Everyone has hopes and dreams and these sometimes come to fulfilment sometimes not. Jesus said the moth speaks of what fills the heart, so what fills your heart? How sound is your heart? What is it really looking for, something or someone? We will explore some of this together in this Home Retreat.

Home Retreat: ‘The Joy of Prayer’ by Fr Henry Jun 15, 2024 1206 Fr Henry will take a glance at the joy (and pain) found by mystics in prayer.

Home Retreat: ‘Wisdom’ by Fr Richard May 25, 2024 1028 What’s the difference between wisdom and intelligence? What is it? Where does it come from? Can we acquire it? Is it anything to do with God?

Home Retreat: 'Changed by the Resurrection' by Fr Wulstan May 18, 2024 778 This Home Retreat reflects upon the meaning of Jesus’ Resurrection for Christian life today.

Home Retreat: ‘A Different Viewpoint’ by Fr Christopher May 16, 2024 818 Following the exposure of three illusions in Richard Rohr’s last reflection - called Action and Contemplation, he reflects that we move on to adopt a different viewpoint or world view.

Home Retreat: “..a week to go to Pentecost” by Fr Bede May 16, 2024 1347 Are you almost ready to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin to renew the face of your local acre of the world?..& can “she” rely on you?an insight into a Confirmation weekend retreat for a group of 30 young disciples preparing to receive a new name& a new relationship with the Holy Spirit....are you ready to be inspired by their insights?

Home Retreat: ‘Getting old or growing old? The vocation of ageing gracefully’ by Fr Chad Apr 28, 2024 1363 In a culture seemingly afraid of losing autonomy and anxious to maintain youth, how does God call us to age gracefully, to aim for wisdom not success, to let go without giving up.

Home Retreat: The Sunday Gospels of Eastertide: A Reflection’ by Fr Oswald Apr 20, 2024 944 Although it is now more than 50 years since the revision of the Lectionary after Vatican II, there are still many riches to discover. In this short talk, we will reflect on the Gospels which the Church sets before us on the Sundays of Eastertide, and what they might mean for our growing discipleship of the Risen Lord.

Home Retreat: ‘CREATIVE DESTRUCTION? CAUTION: GOD AT WORK.’ by Fr Philip Apr 13, 2024 718 We are told in Isaiah that ‘my thoughts are not your thoughts. Your ways are not my ways.’ This is, unsurprisingly, not to our taste. However, in times of distress or confusion, we can draw encouragement from the plentiful signs of God’s bringing new life from apparently hopeless situations.

Home Retreat: Creation and Easter By Fr Gabriel Apr 6, 2024 1081 This home retreat is a meditation on Psalm 118 verse 73 ‘It was your hands that made me and shaped me’ and it will explore themes of creation and resurrection, arising from a lectio divina on this verse.

Home Retreat: Are you in the right position? By Abbot Robert Igo Mar 23, 2024 1030 Often, we can fall back to things that are familiar, just because we are used to doing them or reacting in certain ways. The invitation of the Gospel is to stop, look and evaluate, am I in the right position to make this wisest choice or respond to this situation in the most appropriate manner. If we are not in the place, where God desires us to be, we can end up making bad choices for the wrong r

Home Retreat: Padre Pio By Fr Henry Mar 9, 2024 1341 Fr Henry speaks about Padre Pio.

Home Retreat: Why do your disciples not fast? By Fr Ambrose Mar 2, 2024 462 Fr Ambrose: 'Why do your disciples not fast?'

Home Retreat: Lenten Hope By Fr Wulstan Feb 24, 2024 675 In this Home Retreat, Fr Wulstan explores how Lent can help us to overcome our inner dividedness and strengthen our hope in God.

Home Retreat: '..Your heart is greater than your wounds..' By Fr Bede Feb 17, 2024 1179 Fr Bede: Home Retreat: '..Your heart is greater than your wounds..'

Home Retreat: Three Foundational Illusions By Fr Christopher Feb 10, 2024 843 It seems to me that meditation, as John Main taught it, overcomes three foundational illusions that make it almost inevitable that your politics is going to change, your economics is going to be called into question, your socio-economic perspective by which you critique the world will be pretty quickly taken away from you.

Home Retreat: The Life of St Benedict, by Fr Chad Feb 3, 2024 1327 What can we learn from the account of Saint Benedict's life by Gregory the Great? This talk will look at his leaving Rome, his time as a hermit, his different monasteries at Subiaco and Monte Cassino and his death.

Home Retreat: St Benedict and Care of the Sick Jan 27, 2024 1121 Fr Oswald speaks about St Benedict and Care for the Sick"In our society, and perhaps especially since the Pandemic, care of the sick is becoming a part of everyday life - whether it is parents caring for young children or children coping with elderly parents. In today's Home Retreat, we will reflect a little on St Benedict's thoughts about care of the sick in the monastery, to see w

Home Retreat: 'St Benedict's Use of Psalm 118 in his Rule' by Fr Gabriel Jan 14, 2024 1198 St Benedict quotes from and alludes to the psalms more than any other book of the Scripture. In this retreat I want to speak about the importance of the longest psalm 118 for St Benedict. He assigned it to the Little Hours for Sunday and Monday. He also drew from it something about the structure of liturgical prayer and more importantly still it played a part in his thinking about monastic vocati

Home Retreat: 'What's in a blessing?' by Abbot Robert Jan 6, 2024 1090 Fr Abbot speaks about the recent declaration Fiducia supplicans.

Home Retreat: 'The Son also rises...' by Fr Philip Dec 30, 2023 528 Fr Philip: 'The Son also rises...'

Mini Bonus Episode: Fr Henry under the microscope Dec 28, 2023 323 Fr Henry recently celebrated 70 years since he was clothed and became a monk.This 'under the microscope' episode provides some insight into his remarkable life, as he answers a round of random questions in just a few minutes.

Home Retreat: 'Preparing to Celebrate the Birth of Christ' by Fr Wulstan Dec 23, 2023 744 Fr Wulstan speaks on the effect the celebration of Christ's Nativity should have in our lives.

A Christmas Message From Abbot Robert Dec 18, 2023 50 As the Advent season progresses and we say goodbye to 2023, Abbot Robert would like to share a special message with you this Christmas.

Home Retreat: 'A Cloud of Witnesses V: St Bernard of Clairvaux' by Fr Cedd Dec 16, 2023 1036 Fr Cedd speaks about an Advent Sermon of St Bernard of Clairvaux

Home Retreat: 'The Give and the Take of Christmas' by Fr Ambrose Dec 11, 2023 785

Home Retreat: 'The Three Women of the Apocalypse' by Fr Henry Dec 2, 2023 878 Fr Henry speaks about the Three Women of the Apocalypse.

Mini Bonus Episode: Fr Kieran under the microscope Nov 29, 2023 307 This November, Fr Kieran has gone 'under the microscope' to answer a round of random questions in under 5 minutes.As our new Hospitality Coordinator, you'll see more of Fr Kieran in the new year as he leads various retreats.

Home Retreat: 'A Cloud of Witnesses IV: The Desert Fathers' by Fr Cedd Nov 25, 2023 1567 Fr Cedd speaks about the early monks and nuns of the Egyptian desert, and the writings about them.

Home Retreat: 'Difference', by Fr Richard Nov 18, 2023 767 Differences between people can make it very difficult to live with each other – or they can be a source of strength. What makes the difference?

Home Retreat: 'Silence' by Fr Gabriel Nov 11, 2023 1080 There is of course something contradictory in talking about silence, but nevertheless this is something the monastic tradition does quite a bit. It is a wide topic, but Fr Gabriel would like to say something about silence and listening in Lectio Divina.

Home Retreat: 'The Church's Best-kept Secret' by Fr Bede Nov 5, 2023 1275 With two of our greatest feasts of the Church at the start of November, All Saints (All Hallows, Halloween, the eve of All Hallows) and All Souls (remembering and praying for our loved ones still on their journey to heaven), it seems a fitting moment to search into the secrets of the journey from our current status as the “Church militant” into the attic space of the “Church suffering”, before our

Mini Bonus Episode: Fr Richard under the microscope Oct 31, 2023 420 This October, Fr Richard (who has been a part of the monastic community for 60 years) has gone 'under the microscope' to answer 10 random questions in just a few minutes.

Episodes

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