Early July Update
» On 1 July about 20 people from the National Portrait Gallery came to Douai to view our collection of historic portraits of English Catholic figures, which are found in the library and throughout the monastery. Most of these came over with the community after our exile from France in 1903. The visitors capped off their day in the royal county with a trip down the road to Englefield House, the home of our local MP, Richard Benyon, who has a significant collection himself.
» A Requiem Mass was offered on 4 July in the abbey church for Moira Barton, a parishioner of Fr Austin in Andover. Fr Austin preached while Fr Abbot was the principal celebrant. Among the mourners were her friends Lord Lloyd Webber, whose Pie Jesu was sung during the Mass, and Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex.
» The catalogue for the exhibition in the Douai library commemorating the quatercentenary of the foundation of the carmel at Antwerp has been published. The archives of this carmel are housed at Douai. The catalogue was written by Fr Abbot and Stephen Roach and produced by Fr Hugh. It is on sale now for £5, postage included, from the Librarian at Douai Abbey (cheques should be made payable to 'Douai Abbey'). On the cover is the portrait, on display, of the foundress, Mother Anne (of the Ascension) Worsley.