Retreat on the “Incarnation” Downside Abbey 21 to 23 February 2020

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by Dom Anselm Brumwell OSB, Sub-Prior of Downside Abbey

Despite wind, rain and cold, more than 30 young Catholic adults came to Downside Abbey from around the country last weekend to take part in a retreat looking at the Incarnation, one of the core doctrines of Christian faith.

The main speaker was Sebastian Morello, from the Centre for Catholic Formation in the Archdiocese of Southwark, who traced the roots of the doctrine of the Incarnation as they may be located in Greek philosophy, and then via St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas to a consideration of the ways in which Christian life may be thought of as an extension of the Incarnation, complete with the potential implications of this.

Sunday morning’s talk was described by one participant as “a healthy dose of the Old Testament”, as Dom Anselm looked at the Old Testament passages that pave the way for the Word becoming Flesh, that we find in the life of Jesus.

The retreat also offered opportunities to pray the Divine Office with the monastic community at Downside, and the participants helped with serving and reading at Mass on Sunday, as well as singing the (unaccompanied) Missa de Angelis and Credo III with gusto! Despite the weather everyone had a marvelous time and we have already been asked when the next retreat will be. Keep an eye on our Events page of our website!