Explore every episode of the podcast The Cloister - A podcast from Monastic Retreats
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Interview with Penelope Wilcock | 21 oct. 2026 | 00:24:54 | |
Join us for a conversation with author Penelope Wilcock, we discuss her wonderful series 'The Hawk and the Dove', her approach to writing and the future of monasticism in the UK. | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 – A renewal journey, Harry Clark | 25 sept. 2026 | 00:10:27 | |
Harry’s renewal journey – from losing direction in the military, to hitting rock bottom, to rediscovering hope through prayer, pilgrimage and an unforgettable meeting with Pope Leo – reminds us that renewal isn’t a single moment, but something that keeps returning throughout life’s twists, turns and challenges. Harry Clark, a former Army Engineer and winner of BBC’s The Traitors, has become a rising broadcaster – notably starring in Pilgrimage: The road through the Alps and Harry Clark goes to Rome. | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 – The holy rhythm of renewal, Marie Aitken | 24 sept. 2026 | 00:01:50 | |
Marie Aitken reflects on why rest and retreat matter — drawing on Jesus' own example of withdrawing to pray (Luke 5:16) and his invitation in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens... I will give you rest." | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 – Bountiful Renewal, Ruth Rice | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:04:31 | |
In this reflection, Ruth draws inspiration from the deep, refreshing well of the Psalms – and how they can help fill our cups through simple everyday retreat practice. Ruth is Director of Renew Wellbeing, a charity working with churches to offer quiet shared spaces where it’s ok to not be ok. | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 – Silence, Bishop Rod Green | 21 sept. 2026 | 00:05:28 | |
Bishop Rod Green of Stepney shares this reflection on Elijah’s encounter with the God in 1 Kings 19 – and where we might find “sheer silence” in the face of distraction and disruption. | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 -Renewal in the age of AI, Muyiwa Olarewaju | 20 sept. 2026 | 00:06:05 | |
In a world of constant noise, rising costs and technology moving faster than many of us can process, it’s easy to lose track of truth and reality. In this context, Muyiwa Olarewaju reflects on what it means to renew ourselves and how scripture invites us to do just that. Muyiwa is an award-winning singer, songwriter and broadcaster. | |||
| National Retreat Week 2026 - Facing our fears, with Pamela Brown-Peterside | 19 sept. 2026 | 00:12:09 | |
National Retreat Week – renew:all (19th -26th Sept 2026) is a call to be intentional about finding and setting time for retreat – alone or with others – whether during the week itself or at any time throughout the year. In today's episode Pamela Brown-Peterside shares a reflection exploring how fear can hold us back from the life God desires for us — and how pausing, noticing, and naming our fears can begin to loosen their grip. Through gentle prompts and prayer, Pamela Brown-Peterside invites us to slow down, pay attention to what’s stirring within, and bring our fears into God’s presence. Pamela is an author and spiritual director with a background in public health. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Dealing with Stress | 06 sept. 2026 | 00:07:29 | |
In today's episode Fr Simon shares on how our bodies respond in times of stress before offering practical ways to help us deal with it. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Prayer | 23 août 2026 | 00:06:32 | |
Fr Simon Sleeman continues this series of talks by exploring prayer. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Humour | 09 août 2026 | 00:08:37 | |
In today's episode Fr Simon shares on the theme of humour and its importance in our lives. Just a reminder these recordings were originally made during the COVID 19 pandemic but their message is still as important today as it was then. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Mindfulness | 26 juil. 2026 | 00:06:51 | |
In this episode Fr Simon shares on the theme of mindfulness. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Clouds | 12 juil. 2026 | 00:09:26 | |
Fr Simon shares today on the restorative power of nature focussing on clouds. In the talk he references a two hour video of clouds passing by, you can access that video here. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Familiarity | 28 juin 2026 | 00:08:51 | |
In the third in our series from Fr Simon he shares on the challenge to not grow familiar with what surrounds us and to be open to see things with fresh appreciation. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Daily Practice | 18 juin 2026 | 00:11:51 | |
In the second in this series from Fr Simon Sleeman, Simon shares his daily morning practice. If you have ever wondered how a monk starts their day listen to this episode and find out. | |||
| Fr Simon Sleeman - Depression | 28 mai 2026 | 00:17:19 | |
Fr Simon Sleeman OSB from Glenstal Abbey in Co Limerick Ireland talks about his experiences and recovery from depression. | |||
| Silence - Our Natural Habitat | 06 mai 2026 | 00:10:56 | |
In this episode Chris Whittington, from the School of Contemplative Life continues to share on the theme of Silence. Silence as our natural habitat. | |||
| Silence - A Meeting Place | 19 avr. 2026 | 00:10:57 | |
If you receive our monthly email updates you will be aware that this month I reflected on the theme of silence. I wanted to extend this theme in our podcast for the next few weeks and could not think of anyone better to share on this than Chris Whittington from the School of Contemplative Life. | |||
| Lent 2026 - The Loving Shepherd Who Enters Death | 29 mars 2026 | 00:25:58 | |
Emmaus O'Herlihy OSB concludes our series for Lent with his talk 'The Loving Shepherd Who Enters Death'. We would like to thank our friends at Gelenstal Abbey for allowing us to share these reflections. The painting Br Emmaus references can be found here. | |||
| Lent 2026 - Unless the Wheat Grain Dies | 22 mars 2026 | 00:30:52 | |
Simon Sleeman OSB's Lenten talk - ‘Unless the wheat grain dies… (John 12:20-33)’ Thank you to our friends at Glenstal Abbey for letting us share these wonderful messages. | |||
| Lent 2026 - The Sacrament of Spring | 15 mars 2026 | 00:48:34 | |
Fr Mark Patrick Hederman OSB from Glenstal Abbey gives the fourth talk in our Lenten series titled 'The Sacrament of Spring.' | |||
| Lent 2026 - A New Remembering | 08 mars 2026 | 00:40:30 | |
Luke Macnamara OSB from Glenstal Abbey gives the third in our series of talks for Lent 2026: 'A New Remembering (John 2:13-25).' | |||
| Lent 2026 - Transfiguration | 01 mars 2026 | 00:33:51 | |
Fr Brendan Coffey OSB presents the second in our series of talks for Lent 2026 - 'Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). For more information on Glenstal Abbey visit https://glenstal.com/abbey/ | |||
| Lent 2026 - The desert as the threshold of the Garden of Paradise | 22 févr. 2026 | 00:47:32 | |
Columba McCann OSB begins our series of talks for Lent 2026 with ‘The desert as threshold of the Garden of Paradise'. For more information on Glenstal Abbey visit https://glenstal.com/abbey/ | |||
| Questions with Fr Abbot - A Life Worth Fighting For | 08 févr. 2026 | 00:15:45 | |
Abbot Robert concludes this short series of reflections by exploring ' a life worth fighting for'. I would like to thank Fr Abbot and all the monks of Ampleforth for their contributions to our podcast. You can discover more of their home retreats and explore retreats they are hosting in person by visiting ampleforthabbey.org.uk During Lent we will be releasing weekly episodes from our friends at Glenstal Abbey. | |||
| Questions with Fr Abbot - What Are We Fighting For? | 25 janv. 2026 | 00:16:20 | |
Join Fr Robert from Ampleforth Abbey as he explores another question. | |||
| Questions with Fr Abbot - Why are we in this mess? | 10 janv. 2026 | 00:12:52 | |
Fr Abbot Robert from Ampleforth Abbey explores the question 'Why are we in this mess?'. | |||
| Advent 2025 - Awakening to God's Presence | 20 déc. 2025 | 00:32:40 | |
In the last of our series of talks for Advent, Columba McCann OSB presents 'Jesus our Emmanuel: Awakening to God's Presence.' | |||
| Advent 2025 - Coming to Zion Shouting for Joy | 13 déc. 2025 | 00:36:45 | |
In the third part of our Advent series, Henry O'Shea OSB presents his talk: 'Coming to Zion Shouting for Joy.' | |||
| Advent 2025 - A Chance for Renewal | 06 déc. 2025 | 00:36:05 | |
In the second talk of our Advent series, Jarek Kurek OSB speaks on 'Advent of Christ: A Chance for Renewal.' | |||
| Advent 2025 - The Promise of Advent | 29 nov. 2025 | 00:51:36 | |
Luke Macnamara OSB begins our Advent series with his talk 'The Promise of Advent.' | |||
| Christ the King | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:20:20 | |
Each year, the Church ends the annual liturgical cycle with the Solemnity of Christ the King. In this Home Retreat, Fr Oswald reflects on the history and significance of this great feast. | |||
| Cloud of Witnesses - St Augustine of Hippo | 09 nov. 2025 | 00:16:04 | |
| A Cloud of Witnesses - Lanspergius | 26 oct. 2025 | 00:15:16 | |
Fr Cedd discusses a sermon of the sixteenth century German Carthusian monk, Johannes Justus Landsperg, known as Lanspergius. | |||
| A Cloud of Witnesses - St Dorotheus of Gaza | 12 oct. 2025 | 00:23:21 | |
Fr Cedd talks about the life and writings of the famous sixth century Palestinian monk and Abbot, St Dorotheus of Gaza. | |||
| A Cloud of Witnesses - Guerric of Igny | 28 sept. 2025 | 00:25:09 | |
Fr Cedd from Ampleforth Abbey continues his wonderful series on the writings of monastic men and women who have inspired him. Today he reflects on the Cistercian abbot Guerric of Igny.
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| A Cloud of Witnesses - St Aelred of Rievaulx | 15 sept. 2025 | 00:29:40 | |
Welcome back to the Cloister after our Summer break. Our fortnightly podcast returns this Autumn with a series from Fr Cedd from Ampleforth Abbey entitled 'the cloud of witnesses'. Today's reflection consider St Aelred of Rievaulx. May these reflections be a blessing to you | |||
| Joy | 02 juil. 2025 | 00:13:51 | |
Today Fr Richard, from Ampleforth Abbey, shares on the theme of Joy. This is the final episode of the Cloister for the moment. We may be back in September, until then have a peaceful and joy filled Summer. Keep in touch at our website, monasticretreats.org | |||
| Pentecost | 05 juin 2025 | 00:23:20 | |
Fr Bede from Ampleforth Abbey reflects on Pentecost. Are you almost ready to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to begin to renew the face of your local acre of the world?..& can “she” rely on you? The further resources mentioned can be accessed here. | |||
| Monastic Internship | 16 mai 2025 | 00:18:33 | |
In today's episode we hear from James, who at the time of recording this had just completed a monastic internship at Worth Abbey. Discover what life was like living with a community of Benedictine monks. For More information on Monastic Internships visit | |||
| Chris Whittington - The Abbot, the Monk and the Book | 27 avr. 2025 | 00:37:27 | |
Learning to Be Compassionate: A Story of Healing and Acceptance (followed by 20 mins of silent meditation) | |||
| Lent 2025 - A Subversive Triumph | 13 avr. 2025 | 00:40:27 | |
Prepare for Holy Week with the final talk of our Lent series, 'A Subversive Triumph' by Luke Macnamara OSB. | |||
| Lent 2025 - Salvation's Unusual Contours | 06 avr. 2025 | 00:46:12 | |
Anne Lanigan, a PhD student at Saint Patrick's Pontifical University in Maynooth, presents a talk on 'Salvation's Unusual Contours: Jesus and the Criminals.' | |||
| Lent 2025 - The Lost Sons | 30 mars 2025 | 00:46:42 | |
Br Pádraig McIntyre OSB from Glenstal Abbey presents a talk - "The Lost Sons" - as part of our Lent series. | |||
| Lent 2025 - Poetry of Lent | 23 mars 2025 | 00:44:50 | |
Mark Patrick Hederman OSB delivers the third talk in our Lent series. | |||
| Lent 2025 - Transfiguration | 16 mars 2025 | 00:39:13 | |
Fr Brendan Coffey OSB delivers the second talk in our Lent series: 'Transfiguration.' | |||
| Lent 2025 - Prayer in Testing Times | 09 mars 2025 | 00:44:02 | |
Fr Luke Macnamara OSB presents the first of our Lenten talks "Prayer in Testing Times (Luke 4:1-11) This was first released in 2022. | |||
| Let your hand be ready to help me | 16 févr. 2025 | 00:18:36 | |
In today's episode Fr Gabriel from Ampleforth Abbey, reflects on Psalm 118:173 in this talk entitled 'let your hand be ready to help me'. | |||
| Do you want to be healed? | 02 févr. 2025 | 00:13:35 | |
Abbot Robert from Ampleforth Abbey explores one of the most profound questions in the Gospel of John: "Do you want to be healed?" (John 5:6) What does this question mean for us today? How do we respond to the invitation of healing, both physically and spiritually? Abbot Robert offers deep insights into Jesus’ compassionate challenge to our hearts and lives, inviting us to reflect on our own desires for transformation and wholeness. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation and dive deeper into what it means to truly embrace healing in Christ. | |||
| Anguish and Distress in the Christian Journey | 19 janv. 2025 | 00:15:55 | |
Starting from Psalm 118 verse 143 ‘Though anguish and distress have found me, your commands are my delight’, this home retreat will consider briefly the experience of Elijah, Jeremiah, the suffering servant, Job, Jonah, Tobit, the author of Psalm 87 and then focus particularly on the experience of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. | |||
| What is your heart looking for? | 05 janv. 2025 | 00:13:29 | |
Everyone has hopes and dreams and these sometimes come to fulfilment sometimes not. Jesus said the mouth speaks of what fills the heart, so what fills your heart as we start 2025? How sound is your heart? What is it really looking for, something or someone? We will explore some of this together in this Home Retreat provided by our friends at Ampleforth Abbey. | |||