Stroud: Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard 2026 programme

Scriptorium at Monastery or Our Lady and St. Bernard, Brownshill, Stroud

Founded just 20 years ago, the Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard is the home of a community of 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 enhances the peace of the monastery which is conducive to their life of prayer.

They run a guesthouse which reflects the simplicity of the Cistercian way of life and, at the same time, is warm and comfortable, welcoming all who wish to 'come away for a while' from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to benefit from the peace of the monastery and from the lovely surrounding countryside.

The first part of their 2026 programme follows below:

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Quiet Day
Inviting you to spend some time with God through prayer and reflection at Monastery or Our Lady and St Bernard
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/1/29/quiet-day-19th-jun-2025-4dfg2

Friday, 20 February - Sunday, 22 February
"The Joy of Salvation" Lent Retreat 2026
Enter more deeply into the joyful season of Lent with this weekend retreat, led by Sisters of the community. There will be the opportunity to participate in the Divine Office with the community and time set aside to reflect and pray.
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2024/2/16/lent-retreat-9wwb9

Thursday, 5 March
Quiet Day
Inviting you to spend some time with God through prayer and reflection at Monastery or Our Lady and St. Bernard
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/1/29/quiet-day-19th-jun-2025-4dfg2-5j6zn

1 - 7 April
Holy Week and Easter Triduum 2026
Join in the great liturgies of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, as we journey with Jesus through his Passion and Death into the glory of His Resurrection.
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/holyweekandtriduum2026

Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19
Vocation Weekend - Taste the goodness of the Lord who loves you
An opportunity to experience monastic life for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who have not already made a life commitment.
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2026/4/17/vocation-weekend-taste-the-goodness-of-the-lord-who-loves-you

Wednesday, 22 April
Quiet Day
Inviting you to spend some time with God through prayer and reflection at Monastery or Our Lady and St. Bernar
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/1/29/quiet-day-19th-jun-2025-4dfg2-5j6zn-m5z4b

Wednesday, 13 May
Quiet Day
Inviting you to spend some time with God through prayer and reflection at Monastery or Our Lady and St. Bernard
www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/1/29/quiet-day-19th-jun-2025-4dfg2-5j6zn-m5z4b-ndg43

Friday, May 15 - Sunday, May 17
Prayer Live-in
Come to the Monastery for this weekend to experience prayer in the Christian tradition. There will be talks given by members of the community and opportunities to pray together and alone. We invite you to enter into the rhythm of prayer that shapes every day in the monastery, and to take time to listen in silence "with the ear of your heart".
www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/5/30/prayer-live-in-kk8mk

Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14
Tools for The Journey Towards God
Jesus offers us tools to help us make our journey towards God lighter and easier. Join us this weekend as Fr. Gerard Magee shares his exploration on Discernment, Discipleship, Discipline and Abandonment.
www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2026/6/12/tools-for-the-journey-towards-god

Tuesday, 16 June
Quiet Day
Inviting you to spend some time with God through prayer and reflection at Monastery or Our Lady and St. Bernard
See: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2025/1/29/quiet-day-19th-jun-2025-4dfg2-5j6zn-m5z4b-ndg43-k5s2h

June 26 - 28
The Midsummer Martyrs
Exploring the lives of the martyrs through art; how the witness of their faith touches our lives through the creativity and masterpieces of the artists and how they can help us to live a holy life in the midst of today's society, led by Amina Wright who is an art lecturer and curator of historic art collections and has an MA in Christianity and the Arts from King's College London.
www.bernardine.org/brownshill-programme/2026/6/26/the-midsummer-martyrs

Read more about the Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard: www.bernardine.org/brownshill-about-us