Upcoming
Day Retreat, “Hoping Against Hope”, Saturday, May 17
Join us on Saturday, May 17, from 10AM to 3 PM for our Spring Retreat, sponsored by The Abbey’s Followers of The Way.
We’ll consider the life of St. Paul, as he moved from placing his hope in religion and its earthly kingdom to a real Hope in Jesus and The Kingdom of God. As we look to Him, He gives us Hope that won’t disappoint us, and invites us to practice spiritual disciplines which convert us from hoping in ourselves or others without Him.
The day will consist of morning and afternoon sessions that introduce the topic and then give plenty of time for personal reflection. It will also include Morning, Midday, and Evening Prayer gatherings, plus a delicious lunch for those ordering it.
The Retreat will be offered onsite at 48 Berwick Street in Worcester as well as online at www.tinyurl.com/zoomtheabbey. To register, email Father Len Cowan at fatherlen@abbeyoftheway.org. Registration will be $25 for the day, plus $10 for lunch. Payment can be made at the Retreat, or by using the PayPal Donation button on the abbey website (www.abbeyoftheway.us) and then sending an email to fatherlen@abbeyoftheway.us to notify us of the Registration.
For information about The Followers of The Way, click the “Followers” Button above.
Our next day Retreat will be on Saturday, September 20, 2025
Weekday Prayer Gatherings, Mondays through Fridays
These online gatherings of 15-30 minutes feature a hymn or song, prayers from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, a Scripture reading, and time to reflect and pray together. Using the Daily Office 2019 website (www.dailyoffice2019.com) and the St. Bernard Breviary, we come together to pray the seven classic monastic hours of prayer. All of these will provide a gentle and reassuring practice for centering on Jesus throughout the day and night. Join us for one, several, or all.
Vigils (3AM) offers a time to pray in the stillness and to help those who have trouble sleeping.
Morning Prayer (8AM) is a powerful way to dedicate one’s day to The Lord with Scripture, song, and a message.
Terce (10AM) is a time to reconnect with The Lord mid-morning, when one’s work gets focused.
Midday Prayer i(Noon) interrupts our work and plans, reminding us of Who is in charge, and features a hymn plus a reflection on how it was composed.
None (3PM) draws us back to The Lord as the day’s work begins to close, and features a reading from the saints of the early church.
Evening Prayer (7PM) is designed particularly to be accessible to children, in case families wish to use this gathering as part of bedtime practices.
Compline Prayer (9PM) is especially helpful to prepare oneself for rest and sleep.
To participate online by Zoom, please visit the following link, which connects to the account of The Abbey: www.tinyurl.com/zoomtheabbey. Those with a Zoom account can join Zoom Meeting # 508 799 5011 (The Abbey‘s phone number). Clear instructions will appear, and you will be held in a “waiting room” until you are welcomed aboard by the host. Those without computer access can call 929-205-6099, and then enter the meeting code 508 799 5011, followed by the # sign. No Bible, prayer book or songbook is required for those online, as everything is presented on your screen. You are welcome to “audit” without praying aloud or making yourself visible online. Those wishing to join The Abbot onsite for any of the offices are welcome to do so, but should contact him by text/phone (508-579-3442) or by email (fatherlen@abbeyoftheway.us) prior so that he is prepared to welcome you. NOTE: in-person participants will be asked to observe current COVID guidelines.