Saturday 12th August marks International Youth Day. This awareness day celebrates young people and recognises the challenges that today’s youth can face.
It is an honour to welcome an increasing number of young people to the Abbey each year, and we hope to provide a piece of tranquillity amid the challenging modern world. We hope interactions with the monks and other young people against the backdrop of the valley provides comfort, guidance and support as young people take the next steps through adulthood.
Pope Francis said when reflecting on the recent World Youth Day event in Lisbon;
'The young people of the world came to Lisbon in large numbers and with great enthusiasm. I met them in small groups and some with a great deal of problems; the group of young Ukrainians who brought their stories that were painful. It was not a holiday, a tourist trip, nor even a spiritual event for its own sake. World Youth Day is an encounter with the living Christ through the Church, the young people go to encounter Christ; it is true that where there are young people there is joy, there is a bit of all these things.' (speaking at the General Audience in Rome, 9 August)
Upcoming Events for Young Adults
We're proud to work with vibrant young catholic groups such as Youth 2000 and YouCAN, and from great relationships have come great events, such as the Youth 2000 Summer Festival and Monastery Days.
These events provide an opportunity to encounter the beautiful monastery whilst forming a community with other like-minded young people who share the same journey in faith.
Upcoming Retreats
We are delighted to offer tailored retreats for university catholic societies and groups. Many have held retreats with us, including Sheffield, Lancaster, Hull, Sunderland, Leeds, York, Nottingham, Durham and Keele.
The retreats are usually led by a monk and provide space to reflect, pray, and connect with other members of the society in a peaceful environment.
Fr Kevin has also organised a brand-new Monastic Experience Retreat in September designed specifically for young adults. This retreat is a unique opportunity to experience living in a real monastic community among other young people, while following the monk's daily routine.
Each day a different monk will lead reflective group discussions and offer wisdom which might help to enrich daily life. We understand money can be tight for young people, and so this retreat is donation only.