The retreats at Ampleforth Abbey are led by a variety of Ampleforth monks and community members, as well as knowledgeable external practitioners.
Each leader provides something unique to their retreats that derives from their own experience and interests.
Discover more about the team and what they can offer you on your guided retreat journey...
Both passionate and inspiring, Abbot Robert is an experienced retreat leader who has led retreats across the world, including in Africa, India, and Europe. He served at the Monastery of Christ the Word in Zimbabwe for 25 years, which he enjoyed greatly and found incredibly rich in culture. In January 2021, he was elected to serve the Ampleforth Community as Abbot where he enjoys working with a variety of people in a caring environment.
Abbot Robert’s retreats are deeply reflective and often led by scripture which allows retreatants to ask and attempt to answer the big questions.
Over the past 25 years, Fr Kieran has developed an interest in Benedictine spirituality and the liturgical life of the Church. Over several years he has led many retreats on these themes and is keen to relate them to the day-to-day lives of people today.
At present Fr Kieran is the Hospitality Coordinator, Master of Ceremonies for the monastic community as well as member of the Oblates team. He is a big fan of classical music and has a keen interest in films.
Since serving in Zimbabwe, Fr Christopher has worked for 16 years with the Retreats Team. He has a particular interest in the link between psychology and spirituality. His 'Tai Chi and Christian Meditation' retreats, which he gives with Terry Doyle, have proven popular.
He has recently developed an interest in the climate crisis and has given Home Retreats on the chapters of Laudato Si'.
Fr Bede has led retreats now for over 25 years. He has led a variety of university groups, diocesan clergy, and religious sisters. After being a spiritual director to the Catholic Armed Forces Chaplains for some years, his primary apostolate now is leading school groups, from year 7 to year 13, on 48-hour residential stays. He has also been in parish ministry in Gilling (7 years), Bamber Bridge (2 years) and Ampleforth (9 years).
His retreats this year range from sharing ‘Lectio Divina’ which involves reading between the lines in scripture, to bringing religious paintings to new life through ‘Art & Spirituality’.
Fr Henry is a Biblical scholar with an international reputation. Having given talks in Australia, Africa, America, and Jerusalem, he also taught at Oxford University and was Master of St Benet’s Hall for 14 years. In addition, he was the Professor of Biblical Studies at Liverpool Hope University. He edited the New Jerusalem Bible in 1985, and the Revised Jerusalem Bible in 2019. He has also authored many books.
His retreats provide remarkable exploration and insight into religious text, and he is not afraid to tackle powerful questions surrounding the historical portraits of Jesus and the final Book of the Bible.
After spending many years as a professional musician, teacher, singer, choral conductor, and composer, Anji went back to her first love, studying art history specialising in sacred art with a particular interest in icons and early Paleo-Christian art.
As an Oblate of Ampleforth Abbey, Benedictine spirituality is vitally important to her. Her retreats combine both her faith and sacred art, especially in relation to the scriptures. She maintains her love of music, singing with the Ampleforth Orthodox and Concert Choirs. Anji is also a published author and poet.
Terry is an Oblate for the World Community for Christian Meditation and has expertise in sharing the gifts of meditation with people from all walks of life. Terry has also trained in various holistic healing methods and has been teaching Tai Chi for almost 30 years. He has a real passion for social justice and sits on the Diocese of Middlesbrough's Caritas Council.
Over the years, Terry has also helped to develop various projects with people who have a history of homelessness, addiction, and mental health problems, as well as asylum seekers and refugees. He combines his passion for social justice with his holistic wellbeing coaching, saying that all his work is about empowering people to live more fulfilling lives.
Fr Chad has been a monk for 30 years, and in that time has been Infirmarian, Junior Master and is now Oblate Master and Novice Master. He was previously a teacher, Housemaster and Senior Chaplain in Ampleforth College. He has also recently helped in the development of the English Benedictine Congregation.
Fr Chad loves the outdoors and strongly believes in the benefits of being in the fresh air, encouraging him to lead active, walking retreats. For his health and sanity, he also looks after the monastic woods on the Abbey grounds.
You can support the Abbey in many ways, from making a donation, to volunteering.
