Caldey calling
Caldey Island lies cradled in the South Pembrokeshire coastline on the western fringes of Wales. It is one of Britain's holy islands.
It is a wonderful place to escape to. No television, no newspapers, no cars and no real distractions – unless you count the chocolate factory! The island is a place of great peace, particularly when the day visitors leave, and has been a place of religious life on and off since the 6th Century. The present monks are Cistercians, a contemplative expression of the Benedictine Order.
Earlier this year, fifteen members of St Mary's Priory Church and other Abergavenny churches (pic right) took the ferry to the island to spend time learning how they could incorporate the Rule of Benedict into their lives and to recharge their spiritual batteries. At the end of May, nine members of Mathern, Mounton and St Pierre parishes also enjoyed a retreat in St Philomena’s, the guest house on Caldey.
Mornings start early on the island. Some of the Abergavenny pilgrims joined the monks for Vigils at 3.30am, walking quietly through the dark to the church. This was followed by Lauds at 6am and Mass at 7am before breakfast.
Or, one can just enjoy the early morning solitude outdoors. “Walking the beach at 5.30 am and pressing the only footprints on the beach at that time in the morning, looking and thanking God for the wonderful day and all the creation he shares, was a joy”, says Rick Hayes who was with the Mathern group.
Caroline Woollard from Abergavenny tells that “after breakfast we had study sessions on the Rule of Benedict and its relevance for our own lives. At noon, we went to Sext; before lunch, another session; and then, free time to explore the island. The day ended with Compline at 8pm before we went back to St Philomena’s guesthouse for a cup of tea (or something a little stronger).”
Rick, too, found that it was a privilege to be with the monks of the island and share in some of their services. His group was also given permission to use the old church on the island where they used Taizé music in worship and shared in their own Eucharist.
Both Caroline and Rick found that friendships grew over the week as the group members shared laughter, discussion, quietness and study. The effect of such a week can be profound and some of the pilgrims returning to the mainland and mainstream lives expressed a deep longing to continue to be able to tune in to God and listen to him as they had been able to do on the island.
When Caldey calls, the echoes linger.