Minsteracres hosts Passionist Family Gathering

Passionist Family Gathering at Minsteracres

Minsteracres Passionist Retreat Centre, near Consett, on the border of Northumberland and Durham, and set within the picturesque 110-acre estate of rolling fields, woodlands, and peaceful gardens, was the setting for the Passionist Family Gathering from Monday 14th September 2026 to Thursday 17th September 2026.

The gathering, the first of its kind, was an opportunity for the various components of Passionist life within St Patrick's Province of Ireland and Britain to gather for an annual review of life under the heading of 'Deepening the Vision, Mission and Unity of the Passionist Family.'

Amongst the six vowed Passionists in attendance was Provincial Fr Martin Coffey CP, who had travelled from Dublin for the event and who gave a presentation on Passionist Vision for the third millennium, reminding the fifty or so attendees of the relatively short (1841 to 1849) but intensive mission of Blessed Dominic Barberi CP in England during which he faced great prejudice in what was a fiercely anti-Catholic country at that time but who was able to win people over by his humility and personal holiness. Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was received into the Catholic Church by Dominic, famously remarked that before he became a Catholic he needed to see someone who would go "poor and barefoot amongst the most neglected members of society"-and he found that living gospel in Dominic. Newman noted that just looking at Barberi made him aware of the presence of God. Fr Coffey reminded attendees of the words of Pope St Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi (41) "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than he does to teachers and if he listens to teachers, it's because they are witnesses".

The annual gathering was also attended by representatives from the nine Passionist Partners, a diverse network of lay individuals, grassroots charities, and community projects that collaborate with the Passionists in their mission. United by the Passionist charism of keeping alive the memory of Christ's Passion, they dedicate themselves to serving what they describe as the "Crucified God, Crucified People, Crucified Earth". In this, they minister to marginalised groups, advocate for social justice, and promote care for the environment.

Also in attendance were members of the Community of the Passion. This is group composed of mostly lay members with a few vowed Passionists. It was founded in 2010 by Frs John Sherrington CP and John Kearns CP., emerging directly out of a frontline ministry with Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS), which bears witness to everyday people living out the suffering (the Passion) and hope (the Resurrection) of Christ in the face of modern marginalisation. The Community of the Passion is a close-knit network of approximately 30 members, split regionally across England. Its members meet regularly to study scripture, share food, celebrate the Eucharist, and reflect deeply on how the Passion manifests in their personal struggles and successes.

Passionist Companions from Ireland, Scotland and from the Northeast of England were well represented at the event. The Companions are a global network of lay men and women who formally affiliate themselves with the order to live out the Passionist charism (missionary spirit) within the context of ordinary, everyday life. Their members describe themselves as those who want to spiritually "stand at the foot of the cross". Their primary goal is to nurture the core Passionist values-such as prayer, solitude, and finding the face of the suffering Christ in the marginalised-and express those values within their everyday workplaces, families, and local parishes. Companions meet regularly for spiritual reflection, often using the writings of St Paul of the Cross, founder of the Congregation, as a focus of their meetings.

The gathering found special encouragement in the presence of two members of the Passionist Young Team, a group for Catholic young adults (aged 18 and older) based at St Mungo's Parish in Glasgow, Scotland. Their primary mission is to help young adults grow in their Catholic faith, form meaningful friendships, and support one another in a vibrant Christian community.

Other speakers at the gathering included Fr Martin Newell CP who gave an address on the significance of the Passionist Family and its place within Passionist life and lay Passionists John Thornhill and Paschal Somers, who spoke about the mission of the Passionist Family, Paul Bodenham, who reminded the gathering of the synodal context in which all this exploration and discernment is taking place and Margaret Thelwell who addressed the meaning and importance of unity within the Passionist Family.

Each presentation was followed by small group work, with a special emphasis on Conversations in the Spirit (a key tool of synodality which encourages listening skills and group discernment) and feedback to the whole group.

The Gathering is intended to become an annual event with an emphasis being placed on the necessity of strengthening interfamilial connections in between times.

LINK

Passionist websites: www.passionists.com/passionist-websites/