Norbertines Of St. Philip'S Priory, Chelmsford

We begin the month of May and therefore the month of Mary. What Marian devotions will you take part in this month?

Our Parish School in Chelmsford is looking for a new Headteacher. Please share this information and keep this intention in your prayers. Thank you. https://www.tes.com/jobs/vacancy/headteac her-essex-1193514…

On Easter Wednesday, some members of our community visited the former Premonstratensian abbey of Leiston, Suffolk. This was followed by an excursion to the beautiful seaside town of Southwold.
Follow the link below for more on our visit to Leiston...

That Easter Monday feeling...

Official portrait of the Abbot General of the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré.
Reverendissimus ac Amplissimus Dominus Dominus Praemonstratensis Jos Wouters o.praem.

Paschal Vespers

Pray for the Easter Martyrs of Sri Lanka.
"These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev 7:14

Happy Easter from the Abbot and Canonry of St Philip's, Chelmsford!

LIMBO By Sr Mary Ada
The ancient greyness shifted Suddenly and thinned... Like mist upon the moors Before a wind. An old, old prophet lifted A shining face and said : “He will be coming soon. The Son of God is dead; He died this afternoon.”
A murmurous excitement stirred All souls. They wondered if they dreamed --- Save one old man who seemed Not even to have heard.
And Moses standing, Hushed them all to ask If any had a welcome song prepared. If not, would David take the task? And if they cared Could not the three young children sing The Benedicite, the canticle of praise They made when God kept them from perishing In the fiery blaze?
A breath of spring surprised them, Stilling Moses’ words. No one could speak, remembering The first fresh flowers, The little singing birds. Still others thought of fields new ploughed Or apple trees All blossom-boughed. Or some, the way a dried bed fills With water Laughing down green hills. The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam On bright blue seas. The one old man who had not stirred Remembered home.
And there He was Splendid as the morning sun and fair As only God is fair. And they, confused with joy, Knelt to adore Seeing that he wore Five crimson stars He never had before.
No canticle at all was sung. None toned a psalm, or raised a greeting song. A silent man alone Of all that throng Found tongue ---- Not any other. Close to His heart When the embrace was done, Old Joseph said, “How is Your Mother, How is Your Mother, Son?”
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We adore you O Christ and we praise you; for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World.

THE NORBERTINE CANONESSES OF TEHACHAPI
Fr Stephen recently visited the Norbertine Canonesses of Tehachapi, California, where he led a retreat for this thriving community. More about the wonderful canonesses and Fr Stephen's visit on our blog...

MAUNDY THURSDAY
O Priest, who are you?
You are not yourself because you are God.... You are not of yourself because you are the servant and minister of Christ. You are not your own because you are the spouse of the Church. You are not yourself because you are the mediator between God and man. You are not from yourself because you are nothing. What then are you?
Nothing and everything.
O Priest! Take care lest what was said to Christ on the cross be said to you: "He saved others, himself he cannot save!"
- Attributed to OHF Norbert
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Ave crux spes unica.

Praying with our brothers and sisters in France as one of the greatest churches in Christendom burns. Yet still, amidst the flames, there is hope.

BREAKING NEWS: We have a new website!
Our old website, URL and blog have been retired and we can now be found at: www.norbertines.org.uk
Make us your homepage and visit often!

“The darker the night that sinks down over the world, the more brightly shines the light of Mary, showing the seeker and the straying the right way.” Father Werenfried o.praem., ACN Founder

The wonderful Norbertines: part of the renewal of our most Holy Church. Ad multos annos!