Members of the public of all faiths and none are invited to learn about the following influential people who have made an indelible mark on Catholicism by joining our free to attend study course at the Benedictine monastery of St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth near Guildford: St Francis of Assisi, the Reformer, followed by St Thomas Aquinas, the Theologian, St Catherine of Siena, the Mystic, St John Henry Newman, the Convert, G.K. Chesterton, the Evangelist, Michelangelo, the Artist, St Augustine, the Teacher, St Benedict, the Monk, Fulton J. Sheen, the Communicator, and Flannery O'Conner, the Storyteller.

Starting on Saturday 22 June 2024, our new series of Chilworth Abbey Study Mornings will begin by presenting videos of Bishop Barron's magnificent series on significant and influential figures from the Church's history entitled 'The Pivotal Players'. Fr John Seddon OSB, resident Benedictine monk at the monastery, will show the videos and then lead the discussion about them afterwards. Members of the public attending need no prior knowledge, do not have to be Catholic and don't have to contribute anything if they prefer.  The first Pivotal Player is St Francis of Assisi.

Bishop Barron continues on his journey to take people around the world and deep into the Catholic Faith.  In CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players, he unlocks the truth behind the Catholic Church's most influential people.  These multi-part film series and study programmes illumine a handful of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of civilisation. You can get an idea about the course content in a short video here.

Attend as many mornings as you like. The course runs in person at the monastery on the following dates: June 22nd, July 20th, August 17th, September 21st, October 19th, November 23rd, December 14th, 2024. January 18th, February 15th, March 22nd, 2025.

Mass is at 9am in the Abbey Church. Then, we meet in the Assisi Room at the rear of the monastery for a Video and Talks from 10.30am-12.20pm. Bring a friend if possible. Free to attend. Donations  are welcome here (thank you). No need to book.



More about St Francis of Assisi: He was a Saint consumed with a love of Christ, who heard His command to, 'Rebuild my church'. He thought it was simply to rebuild the ruined church of San Damiano. But then it became clear Christ meant The Church entirely. Hence began the Franciscan reform, which wad taken to the Pope himself. Bishop Barron's film will take us to Italy to visit all the significant locations of St Francis' life, which formed him into a Saint and changed the life of the Church forever.

How to get to the monastery: click here to see our location.

There are two entrances by road to the monastery from Sample Oak Lane. Going up the hill from Chilworth railway station, please turn right at the first road entrance marked by a large Crucifix up the hill to the Abbey Church. Parking is freely available there. Then, please take the footpath to the rear of the monastery until you reach the statue of Our Lady at the end of the paved path. The Assisi Room is through the rear entrance door next to Our Lady, first right once you are inside the building.

St Augustine's Abbey, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8QR www.chilworthbenedictines.com