WCCM in the South West Silent Retreat – The Light of Compassion

THE LIGHT OF COMPASSION

WCCM in the South West Silent Retreat : 2nd – 5th July 2026

Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard, Brownshill Road, Stroud, Glos. GL6 8AW

We live in an ever polarised world where the compassionate contemplative voice needs to be heard. The talks offered on this retreat will explore the Light of Compassion in our ordinary lives and the role of contemplatives in our world.

This retreat is intended primarily for those who have been meditating for some time and wish to deepen their practice within a time of sustained silence.  The days will be structured, though all is optional.  The programme will be based on several periods of meditation together each day, with some walking meditation.

Janet Robbins will join us on this retreat and will offer several short talks. Janet is a Benedictine Oblate within the WCCM and an experienced retreat leader. First and foremost however is her Christian meditation practice that helps her to make sense of the world.

The Monastery is the home of a community of six Bernardine Cistercian Nuns who follow the Rule of St. Benedict and are part of the Cistercian family. Situated in the hills of the south Cotswolds, in a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswold valleys and hills enhance the peace of the monastery and are conducive to a life of prayer.
The guest house reflects the simplicity of the Cistercian way of life and at the same time is warm and comfortable and it is well liked by those in our community who have stayed there before. It offers 14 bedrooms, 5 of which are twin. There is good provision of bathroom facilities close to each bedroom, two of which however are ensuite.

The retreat will begin on Thursday at 6.00 pm and finish with lunch at 12.30 on Sunday.

The cost of the three-day retreat is £225

We want to welcome all who wish to come, irrespective of means.
Beyond your budget?  If you wish to come but the cost is beyond your means, please talk to Jane as we have our own bursary fund to help.

The booking form is here and a copy of this information is available for download here.

For more information or a booking form, contact Jane Serrurier jemserrurier@googlemail.com 07907 413983