Sister Mary Stephen was a natural contemplative, an artist and a meditator. She started teaching and leading meditation in the 1980s, in the Barn at the New Hall School in Essex. New Hall has been a school and a place of prayer since 1799, when the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre found a home there, after fleeing persecution in the Low Countries.
Often people who joined the Colchester Meditation Group have told me they first learned the practice in the Barn with Sr Mary Stephen.
In the mid-nineties, Fr Laurence was invited to lead a day at New Hall on Christian Meditation and John Main’s teaching. The inspiration for the Colchester Group came from that day.
When the Sisters left New Hall, they came to Colchester. There Mary Stephen joined our local group. She often contributed inspirational readings and music, and wry humour. She was much missed when ill health kept her home bound.
She painted till the end of her life. Painting was another form of meditation for her, as was gardening. Reproductions of her paintings can be seen as posters,
pictures and cards in many churches and schools of all denominations. She collaborated with another artist on the large mural at Downside Abbey. Her work is mainly abstract, or depicting figures in contemplation or in a surge of colour and joy.
Rest in peace, Mary Stephen, in continual contemplation of the Great Artist.
Valerie Quinlivan and Peggy Smith –
Colchester Meditation Group