Pantasaph Franciscan Friary

St Pio's Shop - Special Christmas Gifts and a Warm Welcome from Br. Michael and Carol

St Pio's Cafe will be closed from 24 Dec. 2017 to 9 January 2018. For Christmas Bookings call 07783 433107. www.stpioscafe.com

St PIo's Cafe wishes you all a very Merry Christmas! Come in from the cold and join us for excellent coffees, teas and cakes!

Fr Piotr is organising a special Pilgrimage next year 2018

For those wishing to order the Angels Magazine

13-15 October, the Angels' Retreat with Fr Piotr Prusukawiez, has been held at Pantasaph Retreat Centre this weekend. Truly amazing teaching on the Holy Angels of God. Fr Piotr is the Chief Editor of the Angels Magazine. See photos for for more information.

On Friday 13 October it was 100th Anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, Portugal

04 October 2017 Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi
Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
For it is in giving that we receive.
... All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
See More

7 October 2017, St Alban's, Macclesfield - A Day of Renewal of Our Lady of Fatima 9.45am to 4.30pm. The Pilgrimage Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be at this venue between 3.30-4.30pm. Call Joisiane for more information on 01625 429473

Elizabeth and Anne from Bags of Hope, visited St Pio's Cafe at Pantasaph. They support woman who have escaped from Human Trafficking by selling wonderful handbag. Call the following number if you want to arrange a great evening selling gorgeous handbags, with the profits going to a truly wonderful cause. 07984 372650

This doesn't happen every day...

St Mary of the Angels Catholic Primary, fought through a wet afternoon to play a brilliant game of football at Pantasaph today. Well done!

Photos from "Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius" with the Benedictine Brothers from Abbey of St Joseph de Clairval, France. This retreat will be run next year at Pantasaph on the following dates: Men's Retreat 15 -20 July 2018, and Women's Retreat 21-22 July 2018. For information and Bookings please email Pantasaph@gmail.com or call 01352 711053

A Brief History of the Capuchin Franciscan Friary and St David's Church, available on site in St Pio's Shop, £1

Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 15 July 2017, Pantasaph. All are most welcome, bring a packed lunch and enjoy the blessings from Our blessed Mother, Mary xxx

beautiful grounds, exquisite church, beautifully decorated, unforgettable walk through the steps of the cross in the forest and end up in this gorgeous grotto....really recommend a visit....you dont need to be Catholic to enjoy and admire this unique place.

What a superb retreat location and such a calm & prayerful place to stay. An absolutely truly wonderful peaceful place! -God bless & thank you all soo much too and please pray to keep the retreat centre opened xx

Went to St Pio's cafe on a dismal day, 9th January 2017. I was very sad when I went in but when I left a few hours later my spirits were truly lifted. I met lovely kind people. I ordered a toasted tea cake and I was amazed that what was served to me. It was much more than a tea cake, it was wonderful. Thank you to all the people I met today. God bless. Mary from Luverpool xx

Went on a pilgrimage from my local church. Beautiful day, lovely experience. The whole place makes you feel so calm & peaceful. Nice shop & cafe.

Well worth taking family and friends to this lovely tranquil, well kept, friary. The little shop and cafe, just add to the experience of your visit. Had allways been intrigued,by this village, on passing A55, was very impressed, left there with a feeling of inner peace...just so lovely.

We popped in for Tea and cake and were made so welcome that it is now our local .The Brothers have made it a very special place to me .

This is a beautiful place a calm oasis in a busy world places like this are very precious.

This beautiful, peaceful retreat centre cannot be allowed to close. I wish I knew how to use facebook better to reach more people to help to support the Friary and ensure that the retreat centre stays available. This isn't just a local facility, people from all over the UK (and from abroad) visit this centre and find peace and solace. If anyone reading this can help; please spread the message that Pantasaph must remain available not just for us but for future generations to visit and to regenerate their lives.

So beautiful and peaceful. The stations of the cross are very moving in their quiet, forest location. The buildings are extraordinary!!!

It's a real shame that there has been a majority vote by the order to close the retreat centre making 8 people unemployed. Will the church be next I wonder? All that effort put in by volunteers to renovate the cafe & shop & make such a success of it...are they to close further down the line too? I would imagine many in the Parish will feel saddened & let down by what appears to be a possible start to a slow closure of the Pantasaph complex. Poor leadership, jealousy & politics out to ruin a good thing. It's dissapointing some cannot practice what they preach. Let us pray the Lord sees fit to keep Pantasaph's doors open (retreat centre included) & it remains the welcoming & loving home that it has been to many of us over the years.



9/11/17 (UPDATE - The friars have announced the closure of the retreat Centre as from 15TH DECEMBER 2017. Approx 1,500 people have come to Pantasaph for a retreat in the past year so think how many people will now no longer have that chance. Lack of manpower & rising H&S costs may be a reality but it is also an excuse. Four priests from India are apparently going to boost the Franciscan orders numbers so send one to Pantasaph. Put an extra £5 on the price of a retreat would help compensate cost increases. The centre does not run at a financial loss anyway & in reality it is mostly run by staff not friars. Where there is a will there is a way but obviously the will is lacking in some. A number of God's messengers seem not to want to spread the message anymore if it inconveniences them to do so. They'd rather be close to the comforts of the shops & cafes in Oxford, Erith & Chester than the quiet tranquility of Pantasaph. I'm sure Saint Francis would be impressed by the way some of his 'brothers' have carried out his message...not! A real shame...)

It has been announced that the Retreat Centre will close its doors to the public for good from FRIDAY 15th DECEMBER 2017. How very sad, how very wrong...how could they!!?? What next...the rest of the complex to shut down bit by bit? Have they learnt nothing from Saint Francis? So much for spreading the 'word'!

I love Pantasaph. It's been a part of my life for many years, in so many different ways. I went on my first ever retreat there and came away transformed. I took my children there, to Family Days and once to a weekend Family Camp, where I remember Fr Anthony chasing the kids around the field with a Super Soaker water pistol. Much later in my life, I buried the love of my life there, so now I have a different reason for visiting.



I'm sad that the retreat centre has had to close, but whatever the reasons we should not criticise, but be thankful we had it for so long. I love visiting the cafe and having a chat with the friendly staff and sometimes Br Martin or Br Michael. Even if when I go to Pantasaph feeling sad I go from there with a sense of peace and joy.



Thank you.

Beautiful grounds and the lovely excellently run cafe run by Brother Martin and his colleagues serves fabulous food in a relaxed welcoming frirndly environment.

Beautiful and very peaceful indeed.i would recommend people to make retreat or just spend quite time with our Lord. ���

An oasis of peace! I’ve been coming here on visits for over 70 years & always leave feeling peaceful & positive! A truly blessed place with wonderful healing energy for the mind, body & soul

Absolutely beautiful monastery. Father John is such a wonderful brother god bless. I went on a 3 day retreat and I truly enjoy my time here . The food is absolutely lovely too . We where stuffed . Can't wait to go back next year with my family.

A wonderfully peaceful place to visit. The garden and grounds are lovely to walk and reflect in. The cafe serves incredibly good coffee and food. The murals and pictures in the cafe are the work of Brother Martin. If you are lucky enough to meet the inspiring Brother Martin you can be sure of a warm welcome and an uplifting and interesting chat. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A beautiful peaceful place, lovely walks, stunning views, a nice little cafe and shop too, worth a visit.

12month ago i was diagnosed. with cancer Rachel was with me the first thing Rachel said to me you want to go to

Pantasaph and i said Yes. I knew If i went to this beautiful HOLY place i would be alright.We went to Pantasaph and i felt really good i was inthe right place.There is a statue of Padre Pio in the lovely garden.and the peace and quite just what i wanted.Rachel was waiting for me and we went to the Cafe and Brother Martin greeted us i told him Why we Were there and he said that he would pray for me.

We Were on our way out and i said Ill be back after the operation .Brother Martin said they all say that .November came had the operation and went back to Pant asaph saw brother Martin he recognise me and he said you came back.

Everybody have their Special place and come from there and you know you are not Alone.

beautiful grounds, exquisite church, beautifully decorated, unforgettable walk through the steps of the cross in the forest and end up in this gorgeous grotto....really recommend a visit....you dont need to be Catholic to enjoy and admire this unique place.

What a superb retreat location and such a calm & prayerful place to stay. An absolutely truly wonderful peaceful place! -God bless & thank you all soo much too and please pray to keep the retreat centre opened xx

Went to St Pio's cafe on a dismal day, 9th January 2017. I was very sad when I went in but when I left a few hours later my spirits were truly lifted. I met lovely kind people. I ordered a toasted tea cake and I was amazed that what was served to me. It was much more than a tea cake, it was wonderful. Thank you to all the people I met today. God bless. Mary from Luverpool xx

Went on a pilgrimage from my local church. Beautiful day, lovely experience. The whole place makes you feel so calm & peaceful. Nice shop & cafe.

Well worth taking family and friends to this lovely tranquil, well kept, friary. The little shop and cafe, just add to the experience of your visit. Had allways been intrigued,by this village, on passing A55, was very impressed, left there with a feeling of inner peace...just so lovely.

We popped in for Tea and cake and were made so welcome that it is now our local .The Brothers have made it a very special place to me .

This is a beautiful place a calm oasis in a busy world places like this are very precious.

This beautiful, peaceful retreat centre cannot be allowed to close. I wish I knew how to use facebook better to reach more people to help to support the Friary and ensure that the retreat centre stays available. This isn't just a local facility, people from all over the UK (and from abroad) visit this centre and find peace and solace. If anyone reading this can help; please spread the message that Pantasaph must remain available not just for us but for future generations to visit and to regenerate their lives.

So beautiful and peaceful. The stations of the cross are very moving in their quiet, forest location. The buildings are extraordinary!!!

It's a real shame that there has been a majority vote by the order to close the retreat centre making 8 people unemployed. Will the church be next I wonder? All that effort put in by volunteers to renovate the cafe & shop & make such a success of it...are they to close further down the line too? I would imagine many in the Parish will feel saddened & let down by what appears to be a possible start to a slow closure of the Pantasaph complex. Poor leadership, jealousy & politics out to ruin a good thing. It's dissapointing some cannot practice what they preach. Let us pray the Lord sees fit to keep Pantasaph's doors open (retreat centre included) & it remains the welcoming & loving home that it has been to many of us over the years.



9/11/17 (UPDATE - The friars have announced the closure of the retreat Centre as from 15TH DECEMBER 2017. Approx 1,500 people have come to Pantasaph for a retreat in the past year so think how many people will now no longer have that chance. Lack of manpower & rising H&S costs may be a reality but it is also an excuse. Four priests from India are apparently going to boost the Franciscan orders numbers so send one to Pantasaph. Put an extra £5 on the price of a retreat would help compensate cost increases. The centre does not run at a financial loss anyway & in reality it is mostly run by staff not friars. Where there is a will there is a way but obviously the will is lacking in some. A number of God's messengers seem not to want to spread the message anymore if it inconveniences them to do so. They'd rather be close to the comforts of the shops & cafes in Oxford, Erith & Chester than the quiet tranquility of Pantasaph. I'm sure Saint Francis would be impressed by the way some of his 'brothers' have carried out his message...not! A real shame...)

It has been announced that the Retreat Centre will close its doors to the public for good from FRIDAY 15th DECEMBER 2017. How very sad, how very wrong...how could they!!?? What next...the rest of the complex to shut down bit by bit? Have they learnt nothing from Saint Francis? So much for spreading the 'word'!

I love Pantasaph. It's been a part of my life for many years, in so many different ways. I went on my first ever retreat there and came away transformed. I took my children there, to Family Days and once to a weekend Family Camp, where I remember Fr Anthony chasing the kids around the field with a Super Soaker water pistol. Much later in my life, I buried the love of my life there, so now I have a different reason for visiting.



I'm sad that the retreat centre has had to close, but whatever the reasons we should not criticise, but be thankful we had it for so long. I love visiting the cafe and having a chat with the friendly staff and sometimes Br Martin or Br Michael. Even if when I go to Pantasaph feeling sad I go from there with a sense of peace and joy.



Thank you.

Beautiful grounds and the lovely excellently run cafe run by Brother Martin and his colleagues serves fabulous food in a relaxed welcoming frirndly environment.

Beautiful and very peaceful indeed.i would recommend people to make retreat or just spend quite time with our Lord. ���

An oasis of peace! I’ve been coming here on visits for over 70 years & always leave feeling peaceful & positive! A truly blessed place with wonderful healing energy for the mind, body & soul

Absolutely beautiful monastery. Father John is such a wonderful brother god bless. I went on a 3 day retreat and I truly enjoy my time here . The food is absolutely lovely too . We where stuffed . Can't wait to go back next year with my family.

A wonderfully peaceful place to visit. The garden and grounds are lovely to walk and reflect in. The cafe serves incredibly good coffee and food. The murals and pictures in the cafe are the work of Brother Martin. If you are lucky enough to meet the inspiring Brother Martin you can be sure of a warm welcome and an uplifting and interesting chat. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A beautiful peaceful place, lovely walks, stunning views, a nice little cafe and shop too, worth a visit.

12month ago i was diagnosed. with cancer Rachel was with me the first thing Rachel said to me you want to go to

Pantasaph and i said Yes. I knew If i went to this beautiful HOLY place i would be alright.We went to Pantasaph and i felt really good i was inthe right place.There is a statue of Padre Pio in the lovely garden.and the peace and quite just what i wanted.Rachel was waiting for me and we went to the Cafe and Brother Martin greeted us i told him Why we Were there and he said that he would pray for me.

We Were on our way out and i said Ill be back after the operation .Brother Martin said they all say that .November came had the operation and went back to Pant asaph saw brother Martin he recognise me and he said you came back.

Everybody have their Special place and come from there and you know you are not Alone.

beautiful grounds, exquisite church, beautifully decorated, unforgettable walk through the steps of the cross in the forest and end up in this gorgeous grotto....really recommend a visit....you dont need to be Catholic to enjoy and admire this unique place.

What a superb retreat location and such a calm & prayerful place to stay. An absolutely truly wonderful peaceful place! -God bless & thank you all soo much too and please pray to keep the retreat centre opened xx

Went to St Pio's cafe on a dismal day, 9th January 2017. I was very sad when I went in but when I left a few hours later my spirits were truly lifted. I met lovely kind people. I ordered a toasted tea cake and I was amazed that what was served to me. It was much more than a tea cake, it was wonderful. Thank you to all the people I met today. God bless. Mary from Luverpool xx

Went on a pilgrimage from my local church. Beautiful day, lovely experience. The whole place makes you feel so calm & peaceful. Nice shop & cafe.

Well worth taking family and friends to this lovely tranquil, well kept, friary. The little shop and cafe, just add to the experience of your visit. Had allways been intrigued,by this village, on passing A55, was very impressed, left there with a feeling of inner peace...just so lovely.

We popped in for Tea and cake and were made so welcome that it is now our local .The Brothers have made it a very special place to me .

This is a beautiful place a calm oasis in a busy world places like this are very precious.

This beautiful, peaceful retreat centre cannot be allowed to close. I wish I knew how to use facebook better to reach more people to help to support the Friary and ensure that the retreat centre stays available. This isn't just a local facility, people from all over the UK (and from abroad) visit this centre and find peace and solace. If anyone reading this can help; please spread the message that Pantasaph must remain available not just for us but for future generations to visit and to regenerate their lives.

So beautiful and peaceful. The stations of the cross are very moving in their quiet, forest location. The buildings are extraordinary!!!

It's a real shame that there has been a majority vote by the order to close the retreat centre making 8 people unemployed. Will the church be next I wonder? All that effort put in by volunteers to renovate the cafe & shop & make such a success of it...are they to close further down the line too? I would imagine many in the Parish will feel saddened & let down by what appears to be a possible start to a slow closure of the Pantasaph complex. Poor leadership, jealousy & politics out to ruin a good thing. It's dissapointing some cannot practice what they preach. Let us pray the Lord sees fit to keep Pantasaph's doors open (retreat centre included) & it remains the welcoming & loving home that it has been to many of us over the years.



9/11/17 (UPDATE - The friars have announced the closure of the retreat Centre as from 15TH DECEMBER 2017. Approx 1,500 people have come to Pantasaph for a retreat in the past year so think how many people will now no longer have that chance. Lack of manpower & rising H&S costs may be a reality but it is also an excuse. Four priests from India are apparently going to boost the Franciscan orders numbers so send one to Pantasaph. Put an extra £5 on the price of a retreat would help compensate cost increases. The centre does not run at a financial loss anyway & in reality it is mostly run by staff not friars. Where there is a will there is a way but obviously the will is lacking in some. A number of God's messengers seem not to want to spread the message anymore if it inconveniences them to do so. They'd rather be close to the comforts of the shops & cafes in Oxford, Erith & Chester than the quiet tranquility of Pantasaph. I'm sure Saint Francis would be impressed by the way some of his 'brothers' have carried out his message...not! A real shame...)

It has been announced that the Retreat Centre will close its doors to the public for good from FRIDAY 15th DECEMBER 2017. How very sad, how very wrong...how could they!!?? What next...the rest of the complex to shut down bit by bit? Have they learnt nothing from Saint Francis? So much for spreading the 'word'!

I love Pantasaph. It's been a part of my life for many years, in so many different ways. I went on my first ever retreat there and came away transformed. I took my children there, to Family Days and once to a weekend Family Camp, where I remember Fr Anthony chasing the kids around the field with a Super Soaker water pistol. Much later in my life, I buried the love of my life there, so now I have a different reason for visiting.



I'm sad that the retreat centre has had to close, but whatever the reasons we should not criticise, but be thankful we had it for so long. I love visiting the cafe and having a chat with the friendly staff and sometimes Br Martin or Br Michael. Even if when I go to Pantasaph feeling sad I go from there with a sense of peace and joy.



Thank you.

Beautiful grounds and the lovely excellently run cafe run by Brother Martin and his colleagues serves fabulous food in a relaxed welcoming frirndly environment.

Beautiful and very peaceful indeed.i would recommend people to make retreat or just spend quite time with our Lord. ���

An oasis of peace! I’ve been coming here on visits for over 70 years & always leave feeling peaceful & positive! A truly blessed place with wonderful healing energy for the mind, body & soul

Absolutely beautiful monastery. Father John is such a wonderful brother god bless. I went on a 3 day retreat and I truly enjoy my time here . The food is absolutely lovely too . We where stuffed . Can't wait to go back next year with my family.

A wonderfully peaceful place to visit. The garden and grounds are lovely to walk and reflect in. The cafe serves incredibly good coffee and food. The murals and pictures in the cafe are the work of Brother Martin. If you are lucky enough to meet the inspiring Brother Martin you can be sure of a warm welcome and an uplifting and interesting chat. I can't recommend it highly enough.

A beautiful peaceful place, lovely walks, stunning views, a nice little cafe and shop too, worth a visit.

12month ago i was diagnosed. with cancer Rachel was with me the first thing Rachel said to me you want to go to

Pantasaph and i said Yes. I knew If i went to this beautiful HOLY place i would be alright.We went to Pantasaph and i felt really good i was inthe right place.There is a statue of Padre Pio in the lovely garden.and the peace and quite just what i wanted.Rachel was waiting for me and we went to the Cafe and Brother Martin greeted us i told him Why we Were there and he said that he would pray for me.

We Were on our way out and i said Ill be back after the operation .Brother Martin said they all say that .November came had the operation and went back to Pant asaph saw brother Martin he recognise me and he said you came back.

Everybody have their Special place and come from there and you know you are not Alone.