David I, King of Scotland, died on the 24th of May 1153 in Carlisle. Soon afterwards St Aelred, who in his youth had served at David's court, wrote the celebrated Lament in his honour. That same year in England, king Stephen, under pressure from an invading army and from public opinion in his own realm, agreed to name his second cousin Henry of Anjou as his successor.
Homily for Lent 1A, Sunday, 22 February 2026
Fr. Prior Simon’s Homily for Ash Wednesday: 18 February 2026
Once there was a monk whose name was Zossima. He was “renowned for his way of life and gift of words”. “From his infancy he was nourished in the monastic way of life” and, staying in the same monastery for fifty years, “he observed in everything the rule”; adding to it exercises and devotions of his own.
Homily for 15 February 2026, Sunday 6A
You have heard that it was said of old… But I say to you… (Mt 5:21).
Six times in the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded by St. Matthew, our Lord uses this formula. Next week is the First Sunday of Lent: so we will miss the continuation and completion of this series of sayings, which contrast the standards of the law with the standards of the Kingdom.
Homily for 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Year A- 18th January 2026
We have just journeyed through Advent and Christmas – contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation. In a month’s time we will enter the season of Lent as the Church prepares for the central mystery of this year and all years (until the end of time itself) namely that through his Passion Jesus will definitively defeat the power of sin and death and then, after three days, rise from the dead this Easter.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year A: 11 January 2026
Fr. Prior Simon’s Homily for the Epiphany of the Lord, 4 January 2026
Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-6 Matthew 2:1-12
I have a long-standing friend who is a distinguished academic. She has occupied university chairs in several countries, including here in the UK, and published many books and articles. In recent years, the current crisis in academia itself has become one of her main interests. So she has turned her attention to the fate of the University as an established and yet constantly evolving institution in our society.
Fr. Prior Simon’s homily for the Day Mass, the Nativity of the Lord, 2025
“Comfort, comfort my people!”
These words of the Lord taken from the Book of Isaiah ring out all through Advent right up to Christmas. There then come several comforting messages, including the following one: “All flesh is grass and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand for ever.”