HOLA: OUTREACH LATIN AMERICA: HELP SPONSOR A POTENTIAL BENEDICTINE MONK

Please donate to OUTREACH LATIN AMERICA here   

Chilworth's Benedictine monks are further developing links with countries in Spanish speaking Latin America in a bid to attract men interested in joining the Benedictine monastic life to experience this for up to six months at the monastery of St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth in the UK.

Without wanting to detract from vocations in more Catholic populated countries, Fr Abbot is considering ways in which the UK and countries in Latin America can all use the initiative to benefit from interest in new monastic vocations. If the trial is successful, consideration could be given to creating a Chilworth Benedictine Monastic Foundation in Latin America.  

This is nothing new for St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth. The Abbey has been forging links with Spanish speaking America for almost ten years now with its first visitor from Chile staying with the monks in 2014. But efforts are now being stepped up.

What's more and back in the UK, whilst Guildford and surrounding areas are home to may Spanish speaking natives of North, Central and South America, there's a growing demand at Chilworth for Spanish speaking priests to help nurture the Catholic faith. The Abbey regularly holds a Spanish speaking Mass which is increasingly well attended.

During the summer of 2023, Fr Abbot, a fluent Spanish speaker, has interviewed four candidates from South America and one is already in place for his temporary monastic experience at Chilworth as part of a tourism stay in the UK. Candidates are also expected to use their time to improve their English.

In the meantime and, as always, men from the UK, Europe and closer to home are more than welcome to apply. The best way to do this is simple: come and stay in our monastic guesthouse for a few days and experience Benedictine monastic life without obligation. 

Fr Abbot concludes: "We pray to the Lord for divine assistance."

Each monk costs around £4,000 for a six month stay to cover travel, food and other costs. Time spent by the visitors in the monastery is unpaid. 

All donations to help St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth pay for a potential monk to visit, Gift Aided if possible, can be made to Outreach Latin America here

Thank you.

If you would like to arrange your own fundraising event to support Outreach Latin America, please feel welcome to get in touch with Fr Abbot here