Once again Pluscarden Abbey hosted a Monastic Experience Weekend, from Friday 21st to Monday 24th August 2026.
Once again the response to our Invitation, advertised on this web site, was encouragingly positive. Round about 30 applied to come, more or less as last year. The criteria for acceptance on the weekend were that applicants be "single men who are Catholic, practise their faith, are aged 18-40, and at least open to the possibility of considering a monastic vocation."
And similarly to last year, after cancellations for a wide variety of reasons, we landed up in the event with 12 weekenders: all seriously exploring the possibility of a vocation, and all at least interested in the possibility of a Monastic and Pluscarden vocation.
Of course a weekend is scarcely time enough for any sort of full "Experience" of Monastic Life. We are already thinking of hosting a similar event next year, but longer: probably lasting something like one full week.
With only a long Weekend in hand, the days were necessarily filled quite intensely. So our Weekenders received several talks, had a guided tour, and were given some practice and instruction on singing Gregorian Chant. They also had an opportunity for some vigorous garden work (as pictured). As before, they joined the community in Choir and refectory. There was at least some time allowed for personal lectio divina and private prayer, for confession or spiritual chat, and also some time for interaction with one another, and with members of the community.
All our participants were extremely positive about their weekend experience at Pluscarden: please God it bears fruit in their own lives, and also for the life of our Community.
