News & Events

Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster

The Pluscarden community joins so many others in praying now especially for Richard Moth, recently appointed Archbishop of Westminster.

The Death and Burial of Br. John Aidan Cook

Br. John Aidan Cook was buried here at Pluscarden on Saturday 6th December. He was not a monk of our house, though he had spent time trying his vocation with our community in 2018. 

Br. John/Aidan had first tried his vocation with the Benedictine monks of Norcia in Italy. While still a Junior, both physically and mentally he found himself unable to continue on there. He came here in 2018 to see if he could live this vocation at Pluscarden.

Community Retreat November 2025

The Community retreat, 10-15 November, was preached this year by Fr. George Bowen C.O., a member of the London Oratory. Fr. George has many years of experience of work as a school and prison Chaplain. But very notably he has been acting recently as Postulator for the Cause of promoting St. John Henry Newman to be a Doctor of the Universal Church.

Report on the Pluscarden Bees: October 2025

Surely never before have we had so many days of warm or hot sunshine! Throughout the year, to date, 2025 has been marked by low or barely existent rainfall, and long long stretches of fine weather. This all seemed like the best possible news for bees, up to mid-Spring.

Report on the Pluscarden Garden: October 2025

By Br. Thomas Cole OSB, chief gardener

Farewell to a glorious and incredibly warm summer, and welcome to the bounteous and beneficial harvest of autumn! The waning of the daylight and the contraction of plant life in the polytunnels can give a slightly mournful air to this season, yet one cannot but praise God for the glorious bounty of the garden this past year. Also, of course, for the consoling colour of the fruits and leaves all about us.