The influence of Benedictine spirituality on the Anglican church is profound and deep. The daily Offices of the Book of Common Prayer (Mattins and Evensong) are constructed and shaped by the traditional Benedictine structure of daily worship, and you will find most of the traditional hallmarks of daily prayer in the Church of England in the services that precede them in the tradition. Similarly the classic practices of monastic communities both before and after the Reformation are marked by prayer, reading of Scripture, silence, work and contemplation. These have much to speak into our own Christian practice.

My life has been influenced for many years by the Benedictine tradition, and by companionship with a religious community. In recent years the Cistercian life has influenced me profoundly. In March 2021 I was admitted as a novice, and then in January 2024 I made my ‘simple profession’ (which means I took vows valid for three years) in the Anglican Order of Cistercians. This is a dispersed and uncloistered community of Anglican men who seek to shape their lives according to the Cistercian Trappist tradition. Whilst continuing in our secular lives, whether married or single, whether working or retired, we commit ourselves to a pattern of prayer, study, work and contemplation in an attempt to allow the Cistercian charism to form us. We take the three Benedictine vows of Stability, Obedience, and Conversion of Heart. Please note that we don’t call ourselves, or believe ourselves to be, monks, and we don’t make the three evangelical counsel vows which include poverty and chastity. For a really helpful explanation of the difference between these types of vow, and the significant difference between an Anglican Cistercian brother and a monk, see the page called ‘About our Vows’ on the website linked above.

If you are interested in the way in which the Religious, or monastic, way of life might have things to say to you about forming a rule of life, or helping you to shape your daily living, I might be able to offer you some places to begin thinking and praying. There is no better starting place than reading the Rule of St Benedict, which is readily available online, or is easily purchased as a hardcopy or e-book. You might be surprised by how this ancient wisdom speaks to the situations of our daily lives even in the 21st-century.

Horarium (on ‘normal’ days when I am at home. Things flex a bit (often quite a lot!) if I am travelling or teaching at College). Please feel free to join me in spirit praying at any of these times.

5.15am - Vigils, followed by reading of the Rule of St Benedict and the Rule of our Order

7.30am - Lauds

8.00am - Lectio Divina and Spiritual reading

9.00am - Terce

12 noon - Angelus/Regina Coeli, and Sext (on Fridays we pray Sext in Chapter on Zoom at 11.30am)

3.00pm - Nones

5.00pm - Vespers

just before bed - Compline.