Vespers and a Jubilee

» Abbot Paul attended his first ordinary trust and council meeting as abbot on 24 May at which a number of proposed changes in the near future were discussed.

» The next day Fr Geoffrey and Fr Hugh joined Fr Richard Simons of Belmont on Zoom for a meeting about the EBC apostolate on its missions in preparation for General Chapter in July.

» Sunday, 29 May saw Frs Geoffrey, Godric, Oliver and Alexander in Cambridge to sing Latin vespers in the chapel of Magdalene College. The chapel was full for the event, which is usually biennial but was postponed last year due to the pandemic. The brethren dined with the fellows of the college in hall afterwards.

» Abbot had another "first" ordinary meeting on 1 June, this time of the Douai Abbey Parish Trust, held at Douai.

» This past week a dozen candidates for the permanent diaconate have been on retreat at Douai, led by Archbishop Kevin Macdonald.

» Sharing in the community spirit that has become a feature of royal jubilees, a number of the community travelled next door this weekend to join the residents of Abbey Gardens (our former school) for their celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Another celebration held by the monastery parish other local parishes was held in Douai Park. The monastic community joins the rest of the nation in giving thanks to God for Queen Elizabeth's 70 years of faithful and selfless service of the nation and Commonwealth, a model of perseverance and cheerful devotion to duty. God save the Queen!