Mount St. Bernard Abbey

The Cistercian monks are an enclosed order who live by the rules of St. Benedict. Prayer rules concern themselves not with an order of prayer but with the whole life being given to prayer. For the Cistercian monks of Mount St. Bernard Abbey in Coalville, Leicestershire, prayer is perpetual. Exercises are based on prayer and the monk is asked to be constantly aware of God's presence.

Much of modern Leicestershire lives in ignorance of most forms of modern religion, let alone a religion that dates back to the 11th Century. Surprisingly however, the Abbey seems to attract a large congregation for it's community mass. Whether out of curiosity or denomination , people fill the Abbey to capacity.

Religious or not, one cannot fail to admire the dedication and steadfastness that the Cistercian monks show for their beliefs. As a gregarious person, it is difficult to perceive their ritualistic life and yet, a questioning nature cannot help but spark the imagination.

The hallowed buildings that house the Cistercian monks, is as interesting as the religion itself. Originally built between 1835-1837 by William Railton, it was moved at the request of the Earl of Shrewsbury to it's present location in 1839. The earl who became quite smitten and impressed by the Order offered two thousand pounds to the Order, not only for the removal of the buildings but as a retainer for a new architect, Augustus Pugin.

Pugin (1812-52), known for his gothic style of architecture has designed or helped design, several prominent buildings in England. Perhaps his most notable being that of The Houses of Parliament. Pugin also designed the Abbot's mitre, that of Dom Palmer - the very first Abbot appointed after the monastery officially became an Abbey in 1848.

Mount St. Bernard Abbey is structually still Pugin's original work, however many accompanying artifacts such as the huge hanging cross have been removed. Today the buildings now presided over by Abbot John Moakler, still house the Cistercian monks along with an infirmary, a kitchen and a lodge for strangers. More than 300 people attend the community mass and some often stay within the lodge itself.

Even if you consider yourself not of a religious nature, open your eyes and heart to everything and you'll experience a world of wonder. Community mass is held every Sunday with the monks at 9am and I'm sure you'd be very welcome to attend. Not only will you be partaking in a centuries old ritual, but you'll also be in good company. Previous visitors to the Abbey include Florence Nightingale, William Wordsworth and Edward Burnes Jones.

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