Dom Robert Igo Elected Abbot President
The English Benedictine Congregation's General Chapter has elected Dom Robert Igo OSB, Abbot of Ampleforth, as its new Abbot President, following the historic 100th meeting of General Chapter held at Kylemore Abbey, Co. Galway — the first time the Chapter has met in Ireland, and the first time it has been hosted by a women's monastery.
Abbot Robert succeeds Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB of Worth Abbey, who completed nine years of dedicated service as President. We offer Abbot Robert our prayers and congratulations as he begins his four-year term, and thank Abbot Christopher for his years of leadership and service to the Congregation.
Vespers & Organ Recital this evening
This evening Christian Almada, titular organist of the Papal Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome, will give a recital at 6.45pm this evening, after the community's Vespers at 6pm. Entry to both is free, with only a retiring collection. All are warmly welcome to hear an excellent organist indeed.
Annual Monastic Retreat
The monastic community at Douai will be making its annual retreat from Sunday 14 June to Friday 19 June. During this week the monks will be entering more deeply into silence and prayer, and we ask that those who wish to contact members of the community restrict their contact to what is genuinely essential. Thank you for your understanding.
EBC Ordo now on the Douai website
The online English Benedictine Congregation Ordo — the liturgical calendar for all fifteen EBC communities — is now available directly on this website at douaiabbey.org.uk/ordo. Your browser can install it as an app for easy daily access.
Choral Scholarship Scheme 2026–2027
Applications are now open for the Douai Abbey Choral Scholarship for 2026–2027. The scheme is open to promising singers aged 18–26 who wish to develop their singing within an ambitious choral setting and gain experience in Catholic liturgical practice.
Full details, including how to apply, are available on our Music page, where you can also download the scholarship information document.
Douai Magazine 2025 now available
The Douai Magazine for 2025 has just come back from the printer and is available now from the monastery. As always, our annual magazine is provided free of charge. Articles in the latest magazine include a study of the old and new offertory prayers, a portrait of a monk's life at Douai in the 1950s, a view from Rome of last year's papal transition, and a feature article on 60s media guru (and Catholic) Marshall McLuhan and his insights for the Church in the digital age.
If you would like a copy posted to you we only ask that you pay for £1.30 for postage. Just email weldonpress@douaiabbey.org.uk to request a copy.
New Book, New Apps & Concert Reminders
A new book from Douai Abbey — Fr Gabriel Wilson OSB, Prior, Guest Master, Novice Master and Beekeeper of Douai Abbey, has published The Complete Beekeeper with Gracewing. In this deeply engaging book Fr Gabriel shares a lifetime of spiritual reflection inspired by the bees in his hives and the rhythm of the seasons. 264 pages, £20.00. Available from Gracewing.
Weldon Press goes digital — Douai Abbey's publishing imprint has launched three digital offerings, all free to use:
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EBC Ordo 2026 — the liturgical calendar for the English Benedictine Congregation, all 15 communities, for every day of 2026. Available online at ordo.bibliotrack.app (your browser can install it as an app) and on the Apple App Store.
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Cloister Word — A simple daily prayer companion with daily meditations from St Benedict and Br Lawrence. Online at cloister.bibliotrack.app — your browser can install it as an app, and you can set a daily reminder.
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Bibliotrack — an iOS app (Android coming soon) to catalogue your personal library by scanning a book's barcode or entering its ISBN. Track books you have lent to others. A once-only cost of £2.99 (no subscriptions), with all proceeds supporting Douai Abbey's life and mission. bibliotrack.app.
All three are described in more detail on our Weldon Press page.
Concerts & Pastoral Programme — don't forget to check our busy schedule of sacred music concerts and retreat days on the Visit page.
Meet our Musicians
We are delighted to introduce a new page dedicated to the Douai Abbey Singers — the Lay Choir of Douai Abbey. You can read about the choir's history and repertoire, and meet our Director of Music, Principal Cantors, and Choral Scholar.