Invocation North 2013...

AMPLEFORTH ABBEY

14 – 16 June

 “Called, Formed, Sent”

Ampleforth Abbey hosted the annual vocations event ‘INVOCATION’.

A broad spectrum of Religious orders and congregations were represented and also Bishops and diocesan priests from the North.

(A Carmelite, a Redemptorist and a Benedictine)

In attendance, and representing the Redemptorists, were

Fr. Richard Reid (Vocations Director),

Br. Royston Price and myself, Br. Mike Taylor, (both Postulants).

Also in attendance were approximately 60 young people who were “discerning” and exploring God’s call to them and their future path in life.

(A place to sit and pray and listen)

(The Bishop of Lancaster led us in a talk by the name of 'Called')

(The Diocese of Lancaster including:- the Diocesan Vocations Director, a Bernardine Cistercian nun, an Ursuline sister, a Carmelite nun, a Daughter of Wisdom sister, a permanent deacon and some young people)

With a theme of “Called, Formed, Sent”, there was a packed schedule of events, which included 6 workshops :-

*     Benedictine Spirituality.

*     Discover your vocation with the Catechism.

*     Discernment in the Ignation Tradition.

*     The diocesan priesthood.

*     The New Evangelisation : a context for vocation.

*     Chastity : aid to discernment.

Many of the young people camped in the grounds of Ampleforth but weren’t disheartened by the typically British summer weather ! 

There were some very special opportunities to participate in the prayer life of the Benedictine Community, including :-

Matins - Lauds - Daily Mass - Vespers - Compline

 and possibly the highlight, a night vigil and reflection led by Dom Cuthbert Madden (Abbot of Ampleforth) followed by a candlelit procession.

The Benedictines were wonderfully hospitable and a good time was had by all !