English Benedictine Congregation  ·  Founded 1615

A life given
to prayer & purpose

Called to something more

Could God be calling you to Douai?

Every monastic vocation begins with a question — a persistent stirring, a sense that ordinary life, good as it is, may not be the whole of what God intends. If you find yourself drawn to a life of prayer, community and service, we invite you to come and see.

At Douai, we follow the Rule of St Benedict as it has been lived and handed on through the English Benedictine Congregation — a tradition shaped by centuries of fidelity, scholarship and pastoral care, with deep roots both in the cloister and in the wider Church.

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The monastic community of Douai Abbey
The Community

Brothers in Christ

Monastic life at Douai is lived in community — a family of men from varied backgrounds, brought together by a shared response to God's call. We pray together, work together, eat together, and walk together through the ordinary and the extraordinary seasons of life.

The English Benedictine tradition has always understood community not as an escape from the world, but as a particular way of living within it — attentive, rooted, and open. The community is a place of genuine brotherhood, with all the richness, the challenge, and the grace that entails.

"Let nothing be preferred to the Work of God."
The Rule of St Benedict, Chapter 43
The Work of God

A life shaped by prayer

At the heart of Benedictine life is the Liturgy of the Hours — the ancient pattern of prayer that sanctifies the day from the first light of morning to the last prayer of night. Five times a day the community gathers in choir to sing the psalms, hear the Scriptures, and offer the day's work back to God — from Matins before dawn to Compline at nightfall.

This rhythm of prayer is not a burden but a gift — a framework within which all of life finds its meaning. The daily celebration of Mass stands at its centre, drawing together the whole of creation in an act of thanksgiving that the monks have offered, on behalf of the Church, for over four hundred years.

Monks praying the Divine Office in choir
"We mean to establish a school of the Lord's service."
The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue
A solemn Mass celebrated at Douai Abbey
Beyond the Cloister

Prayer and service

The English Benedictine tradition has always combined the contemplative life with active service to the Church. Douai monks have served in parishes, schools, and chaplaincies for centuries — carrying the spirit of the cloister into the wider world, and returning enriched by it.

Ordained monks may be called to serve in parish ministry, whilst all brothers contribute their particular gifts — be they intellectual, pastoral, artistic or practical — to the life of the community and those it serves. No talent is left at the door of the monastery; all are welcomed, formed, and put to the service of God.

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A wider family

Secular Oblates

Not everyone is called to the cloister — but many are drawn to live the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict within their everyday lives. Secular Oblates are men and women, married or single, who make a formal commitment to follow Benedictine values in the world: stability, conversion of life, and obedience to God's will as it unfolds in the ordinary.

Oblates are associated with Douai Abbey as members of our extended family. They share in our prayer, attend retreats and days of recollection, and find in the community a spiritual home — a place of belonging and encouragement on their journey.

Taking the first step

Come and see

Discernment takes time, and we would not have it otherwise. The first step is simply to visit — to spend time with the community, join us for prayer, share our meals, and see whether something in this life resonates with what God seems to be asking of you.

We welcome enquirers for informal visits at any time of year. Longer stays can also be arranged for those who wish to enter more deeply into the rhythm of monastic life. There is no obligation, no pressure — only an open door and a warm welcome.

Monastic life is not without its demands. Community living brings both its blessings and its occasional crosses. But it is in precisely that shared life — with its joys, its frictions, its surprises and its graces — that so many have found God more fully than they ever expected.

Ready to take the first step?

Whether you are drawn to monastic life, exploring as a Secular Oblate, or simply curious — we would love to hear from you.

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