Ampleforth Abbey Podcast
Join the monastic community of Ampleforth Abbey for Home Retreats that aim to provide reflection and insight from a home of prayer.
Episodes
Fr Richard - 'Love, Authority and Confidence'
Home Retreat: Fr Henry ' 'St Augustine'
'A retreat is always an invitation to conversion. It would be difficult to find a better guide on the way of conversion than the greatest of concerts, perhaps also the greatest of Christian theologians, St Augustine of Hippo.'
Home Retreat: Fr Cedd - 'Fear and Fear'
Link to the Discourse of St Dorotheus of Gaza: https://www.ampleforthabbey.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/dorotheus-discourse-4.pdf
Home retreat: Fr Bede "The only difference is that now I know the answer to the question.." the sting of Obedience
Download the text of this Home Retreat: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QekKn_LA17OUOiI2CPje0jbaJA7DYjJ6/view?usp=drivesdk
Home Retreat: Fr Gabriel - 'Mary Queen of Heaven in the Glory of all the Saints'
Home Retreat: Fr Phillip - ' Too clever by half...or humbly wise?'
Fr Phillip delivers this weeks Home retreat titled: ' Too clever by half... or humbly wise?'
Home Retreat: Fr Wulstan - ' Where is Life?'
Fr Wulstan delivers this weeks home Retreat titled: ' Where is Life?'
Home Retreat: Fr Luke - 'The Annunciation'
Fr Luke gives this weeks Home Retreat titled: 'The Annunciation'Reference picture: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AYfNVyRxz7wZyQKfj4IxESR1Yj_FXDxo/view?usp=sharing
Home Retreat: Fr Chad - 'The wedding homily never given'
'Over the years I've preached homilies at about fifty weddings. There are things I've thought of saying, decided to avoid, but still saved. This is an attempt to bring all those together in one imagined homily.'
Home Retreat: Fr Christopher - ' The Holiness of Falling in Love'
'St Francis invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants to us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. Beyond the language of mathematics and biology he takes us to the heart of what it is to be human….. just as happens when we fall in love with someone.' - Laudato Si 12Suggested Timetable: (But do make your own)11.00 Talk –11.30 Read through
Home Retreat: Abbot Robert - 'Who do you think you are?'
Abbot Robert gives this weeks Home Retreat titled: 'Who do you think you are?'
Home Retreat: Fr Oswald - 'Independence Day?'
Fr Richard - 'Thoughts on Magnifica Humanitas'
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'
Fr Phillip 'Tales of the Unexpected'
Fr Wulstan 'To Prefer Nothing to the Love of Christ'
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'
Home Retreat: "What Are We Fighting For?" by Fr Abbot Robert
Home Retreat: 'The Desire for God and the Gift of His Peace' by Fr Wulstan
This Home Retreat explores how we might come to find true rest in God.
Home Retreat: 'St Joachim and Anne' by Fr Luke
Home Retreats: 'John Chapman OSB' by Fr Chad
Home Retreat: ‘An Astonishing Secret - Daniel O’Leary’ by Fr Christopher
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
Home Retreat: 'Pentecost Eve' by Fr Henry
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
'Holy Desire' Fr Wulstan
Home Retreat: ‘Hope and Mercy in the Jubilee Year’ by Fr Luke
Home Retreat: 'Restorative Justice' by Fr Christopher
Home Retreat: 'THE NEED TO BE HEALED' by Fr Abbot Robert
'I feel like turning just like him for home - that I may also start again' by Fr Bede
Home Retreat: The Rule as a Living Document - Fr Oswald
Home Retreat 'How does the cross save us?' by Fr Richard
Home Retreat 'How does the cross save us?' by Fr Richard
Home Retreat: ‘Lent’ by Fr Henry
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
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
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
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'
Home Retreat 'The Miraculous Medal' by Fr Luke
Home Retreat: 'December Infancy Stories' by Fr Henry
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
..chosen born nurtured & entrusted to make a real difference to real life & real faith October 2024
Home Retreat: 'Transformative Religion' By Fr Christopher
‘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"
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'
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
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
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
Fr Henry will take a glance at the joy (and pain) found by mystics in prayer.
Home Retreat: ‘Wisdom’ by Fr Richard
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
This Home Retreat reflects upon the meaning of Jesus’ Resurrection for Christian life today.
Home Retreat: ‘A Different Viewpoint’ by Fr Christopher
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fr Henry speaks about Padre Pio.
Home Retreat: Why do your disciples not fast? By Fr Ambrose
Fr Ambrose: 'Why do your disciples not fast?'
Home Retreat: Lenten Hope By Fr Wulstan
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
Fr Bede: Home Retreat: '..Your heart is greater than your wounds..'
Home Retreat: Three Foundational Illusions By Fr Christopher
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
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
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
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
Fr Abbot speaks about the recent declaration Fiducia supplicans.
Home Retreat: 'The Son also rises...' by Fr Philip
Fr Philip: 'The Son also rises...'
Mini Bonus Episode: Fr Henry under the microscope
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.
