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Pluscarden Abbey was honoured to host an official visit on Friday 6 March by His Royal Highness Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester.
The monks of Pluscarden Abbey are offering a special opportunity to experience at first-hand what monastic life is about, during the weekend of Friday 21st to Monday 24th August 2026.
Following hot on the heels of the Dundee students, the Pluscarden Community was happy to host a band of Catholic students from St. Andrew's University: brought by their Chaplains Mgr. Patrick Burke and Fr. Chris Selvaraj.
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.
Over the weekend of 27 February to 1 March 2026, the Pluscarden Community was delighted to welcome a retreat group of students from Dundee University, with their Dominican Chaplain, Father Gregory Murphy OP.
The 2026 Pluscarden Pentecost Lectures to be given by Fr Simon Francis Gaine OP Professor of Theological Anthropology, Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome.
This year's residential oblate retreat was preached by our own Fr. Benedict.
It coincided with the first Sunday in Lent.
From the earliest times the Church has imitated the 40 days fast of Jesus. As Jesus prepared for his public ministry by a fast of 40 days, so we all together prepare for the annual celebration of Easter by a fast of 40 days. Lent for us is always a time of special grace.
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.
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.