Caldey Island
The story of a holy island. Written by Christopher Howells and photographed by Ross Grieve.
Caldey Island Caldey Island lies off the magnificent Pembrokeshire coastline on the west coast of Wales. Caldey is one of Britain's holy islands. The Cistercian order of monks on Caldey continues a tradition which began in the 6th century. Author, Chris Howells and photographer Ross Grieve have captured the daily life of the monks and their religious celebrations. The book also contains interviews with the monks and inhabitants and records the history of the island and its unspoilt wildlife. Illustrated with over 100 colour photographs, this book makes a superb gift for visitors to the island and people with interests in religion, history and wildlife.
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1. A trip to Caldey Island
7
Brother Luca
28
2. The history of the Cistercian Order
31
Brother Michael
52
Caldey Island timeline
54
3. The history of Caldey Island
57
Brother Paul
80
4. The Cistercian way of life
83
Brother Stephen
110
5. How Caldey makes a living
113
Dom Robert O’Brien
132
Brother Teilo
134
6. An island of supernature
137
Brother Titus
160
7. Holy Week and Easter on Caldey Island
163
Brother Benedict
188
Above left: The brothers with Dom Armand. Above right: Dom Armand talks with Father Senan in the community Chapter Room. Left: Father Daniel and Dom Armand walk through the gardens surrounding the monastic guesthouse.
Dom Armand comes across as an exceptional man, somewhat enigmatic. He speaks seven languages fluently. When you speak to him you feel that you are in the presence of someone who has great knowledge, wisdom and humility. To become an abbot is an achievement in itself – it is recognition of personality, wisdom, trust and inspiration. You are voted by a community of experienced people to be their leader – Dom Armand has been selected three times. He has also been sent by the Cistercian Order to found communities in countries across the world. Added to this, he spent seven years working in Rome on behalf of the Cistercian governing body. When a monk enters a community, he makes a vow of stability and so fully expects to spend the rest of his days within that brotherhood. Dom Armand considers it a gift to have experienced such a diverse career. “Some people, because of circumstances or responsibilities, are called to go and help other places, or have various types of service to render, so I have been lucky to have visited practically all the monasteries of our Order. Every place I have been to, I have always loved everything I have done. Every time I have been called to begin a new chapter in my life, I put the last dot on the former chapter, turn the page and start a new one.” With his intimate knowledge of the Cistercians and all their houses, he has a particular affection for Caldey, one of only two island houses in the entire Order. “It has a special atmosphere,” he says. “We have monasteries all over the world, each one has a specific character, but a community living on an island is something special. It attracts a
Left: Mass on Easter Sunday. Below left: A decorated egg in the refectory. Below right: Father Daniel’s vestments worn on Easter Sunday. Next page: Brother Paul and Brother Gildas take wine at Holy Communion on Easter Sunday.
Caldey Island
Father Daniel: “It’s a silent Saturday because we e are focusing on Jesus who is now in the tomb. Everything falls silent; we are sharing g that that silence of Christ’s death, a silent expectation. You can say the silence before the sstorm. torm. We believe that Jesus is the Word of God but a word without silence cannot express express itself properly, fully. You need silence in order to communicate. So the silence off the tomb is an essential prelude for eo • author Christopher Howells the Resurrection – for the new life.”
• publication 14 July 2010
There is one light on by the bell in the cloisters.. The The shadowy shapes of the monks drift softback Father 192 pages around the corridor and collect out of the light. A torch•illuminates Senan’s face. • size x 200mmon the The monks are grouped on one part of the cloister congregation stter square, the 250 other. Father Daniel, Brother Gabriel and Brother the two groups. he er Paul•stand overbetween 100 photographs The brothers and the congregation are now gathered darkness the entire hered in•the ISBN 978 1and 905582 14 3 population of the island stands within an area off about about 20 square metres.
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At a time like this it is easy to imagine how cold parts parts of the Abbey must be especially in winter, and wonder what it must have been like before before the roof was replaced.
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Brother Titus lights the fire and steps away. Brother other Paul carries the incense burner. Welsh Books Council No-one utters a word. The half-lit outlines reflect ec t in the windows, distorted and Tel fire, 01970 624455 refracted by the metalwork. Father Daniel steps Brother Gabriel stands pss up up to the behind with the 3ft high Paschal Candle. From tonight will stay in the church for tonight itdistribution.centre@wbc.org.uk
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Caldey Island
• • • • • • •
author Christopher Howells publication 14 July 2010 softback 192 pages size 250 x 200mm over 100 photographs ISBN 978 1 905582 14 3 £14.99
Three miles off Tenby on the south-west coast of Wales the small island of Caldey keeps faith with fifteen hundred years of tradition. Small boats ferry visitors to a sacred sanctuary, a place of peace and charm, a small world apart, a haven for wildlife, a delight of woods and flowers, cliffs and coves.
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Monks first settled here in the sixth century. Their successors, too, in their remarkable abbey, devote their lives to prayer and work; and in this book speak candidly of their personal struggles in embracing monastic life.