Quarr Abbey

NEWSLETTER
Issue 40
Winter 2024

Christmas: Live as Gift

“Unto us a child is born, a son is given”. Handel in his Messiah set these words of Isaiah to an
unforgettable melody. What a joy, they say, when a new member of our human family is born! Not
every one is the long-expected Messiah, but each one is special, unique, worth celebrating.
Life is given us through the life of offered, and joy shared with simplicity receive care and compassion but for
others. Similarly, their demise seems and dignity. How much we need such the presence of Mary, his mother,
to put to death something in us. We a house: to welcome us when we are and John, his friend. We do not need
are born again with the new-born born, to shelter us when we grow, to that many things, but we do need the
babe. We die in the departure of our care for us when we get sick or older, one thing that only the presence of a
brethren. Nothing is so wrong as to to give us a place at the hour of our human person can give us. One loving
imagine that my birth and my death death. presence can change everything.
belong only to me – that your life
Jesus, born in Bethlehem, had no I am sorry, but I cannot let you die
and your death concern only you. We
house but the manger of animals in the solitude of your decision to
are not separated individuals. We are
and the hearts of his parents. Jesus end your own life. I cannot let you
connected members of a wider family.
dying on the Cross had nowhere to take away the gift that you are. I need
For all our solitude, our
you till the end. Your life
birth and our death are part
till the end builds up our
of the lives of others.
society. Till the end, you
Hence our responsibility. are an essential gift: to
Not for our birth, obviously you, to me, to all. I want
– we did not make ourselves us all to care for you, to
–, but for the life we have value you, to be grateful for
received. This is a gift given you, to accompany you in
to me to be shared with dignity and compassion till
others. You have received: the end – whoever you are,
become a giver. Give yourself whatever you have done.
– your hands and your
Life is a gift, from the
heart, your mind and your
beginning to the end.
presence, your talents and
When you die, the gift that
your limits. You have been
you are remains. You die
given “unto us”: agree to
in us and you live on in us.
make of yourself a gift to us
How much more so in God,
all. Give yourself: you will
our Creator and Father!
be a human person; you will
Even: “I am not dying, but
find yourself in the very gift
entering life”, said Thérèse
of yourself. For your self
of the Child Jesus. Birth:
is neither a product to be
the door into this life.
consumed by you alone nor
Death: the door into the
a castle to be built to your
Life. Let none of us close
unique glory, but rather a
these precious doors! Let us
house to open welcomingly
rather leave it to our Father
to those who pass you by.
in heaven to open them at
Think of it: a welcoming the right time.
house where compassion is
Abbot Xavier
Picture: Hudson Media
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Friends of Quarr by Cheryl Fontana

Members of the Friends of Quarr met for their annual meeting on Saturday 28th September. At
the meeting Dr Dominic Fontana talked about the many events of the last year. He spoke of the
role of the Friends in supporting the activities of the Abbey, whether that was volunteering in the
bookshop, taking guided tours around the Abbey or helping to produce and man exhibitions.
He also said that it was important to and work. The community was also brought out the haunting spirituality
maintain dialogues with people who delighted to welcome a visit from of all the pieces with great skill and
are interested in the work of the Abbey the Primate, Abbot Gregory Polan in passion. It is Sir Karl’s eightieth
and to try to create networks of those August, shortly before the end of his birthday this year and The Friends
who would like to offer their support. term as the tenth Abbot Primate of the of Quarr were pleased to mark the
There have been substantial fundraising Benedictine Order. occasion with this concert, which
initiatives throughout the year led attracted a capacity audience and raised
After the meeting and lunch in the
by individual Friends of Quarr, with over £650 in donations. As a result, the
teashop there was a concert in the
money raised towards the guest house sum of money needed to complete the
Abbey church to raise money on behalf
refurbishments and the new organ. payment for the new pipe organ has
of the Friends of Quarr. A selection
Twelve new members have joined in now been raised.
of motets by Sir Karl Jenkins was
the course of the year bringing the total
performed in the Abbey Church by We now look forward to the coming
membership to nearly 150 people and
Salutaris, an Island choral group. of the new organ in December and to a
requests for membership continue to
Conducted by Jurgita Leistrumaite, future occasion when we hope to hear
come in through the website.
the singers gave an outstanding and Salutaris perform once again.
Fr Xavier spoke to the meeting of the inspiring performance set against the
If you are interested in joining the
importance of growing the community beautiful backdrop of the statue of
Friends of Quarr and being informed
and of welcoming a new postulant to Our Lady and framed by Dom Bellot’s
about what is happening at the Abbey,
join the monastery soon. The presence stunning brick arches. Many of the
please look on the Quarr Abbey website
of some very good interns on the motets are now well known, particularly
for further details on this link:
internship programme continues to Cantate Domino from Adiemus and
be an important part of life at the Benedictus from the Armed Man, as https://quarrabbey.org/support/
Abbey, as these young men participate Jenkins is one of the most performed friends-of-quarr/
in following the monastic way of life living composers globally. The choir
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Dom Prosper Guéranger
Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger was born to a middle class, devout Catholic family on April
4th 1805 in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, a small town in the Pays de la Loire region of France. He was
baptised on the very day of his birth and was drawn to the Church from a young age.
It was his mother who taught “It is thanks to the rule of Saint
him to read and he developed Benedict that we shall become true
a passion and capacity for Benedictines.”
reading which stayed with
Despite all logistical and
him for the rest of his life.
financial challenges, in 1833
Thanks to the help of a young
Guéranger purchased the
chaplain at ‘The Collège Royal’
abandoned monastery and
in Angers, Guéranger had the
the restoration of Solesmes
opportunity as a student to read
began. In those early years,
nearly all the great French
poverty always prevailed and
and foreign literature. He
the local community played
frequently read ‘The Genius of
an essential role in helping
Christianity’ by François-René
the newly found religious
de Chateaubriand - a book
house to survive. In 1837 Dom
which defended the wisdom
Guéranger went to Rome
and beauty of the Catholic
seeking the approval for his
faith against the attacks of the
new monastery and all requests
French Revolution.
were granted, constitutions
In 1821 the Guéranger family approved and the Solesmes
left Sablé for Le Mans where priory was raised to Abbey
Prosper entered seminary status with Dom Guéranger as
in 1822. During his time Abbot - he was just 32. A new
at seminary his reading of era had dawned and he went
the Church Fathers left a on to rule as abbot for the next
profound impression on him 38 years, dying peacefully on
and sowed seeds of desire for the 30th January 1875.
the Benedictine life. Also at blue eyes tended to surprise people!
The Solesmes monastery became
seminary, he further developed his Abbot Guéranger was called to serve a visible affirmation of the freedom
love for the liturgy and expressed a the Church through his studies and the Church was regaining in France
strong interest in Church history. believed the spiritual strength of the at the time. The new monks put all
On October 7th 1827 at the young age Church in France depended on the their heart into the task of ceremonies
of 22, he was ordained priest at Tours revival of monastic life. By the age of and soon attained a beautiful liturgy,
in what was a very simple ceremony. 25 he had a unified train of thought which remains today. Abbot Guéranger
He celebrated his first Mass at the and was already publishing quality also played a key part in the revival
Cathedral in Tours and quickly gained articles on Catholic liturgy. He greatly of Gregorian chant and succeeded in
a reputation for being ready to preach influenced the Church’s understanding giving Gregorian melodies an accent
on any subject at the drop of a hat. of the faith and liturgy with his nine- and rhythm that no one seemed to
His sermons were direct and simple volume written masterpiece: ‘L’Année have dreamed possible. A ‘Solesmes
in style, always with a clear message Liturgique’. In all his works he paid style’ of chant was established,
and delivered with enthusiasm. homage to the Pope and said: “Love recovering and promoting the musical
He suffered from a slight speech for the Sovereign Pontiff is a mark of patrimony of the Church.
impediment which was said to impact God’s blessing.”
Abbé Guéranger was a remarkable
his eloquence, but when he spoke In the spring of 1831, the derelict man of many gifts and talents and his
from the heart it vanished. priory of Solesmes was put up for sale. legacy continues to resonate through
Those who knew him told of how he Père Guéranger, although facing a the Solesmes congregation and Church
inherited ‘lively and playful’ traits of complete lack of resources and lack of today. On November 8, 2023 the cause
his mother while retaining ‘tranquil reliable contacts, felt strongly drawn for Guéranger’s canonization was
and strong’ qualities of his father. He by God to acquire the property and opened and we pray he is on the road
was short and more stout than thin, re-establish the Order of St. Benedict. to Sainthood.
with blond hair and a constant smile, His wish was simple - to gather
together some like-minded priests Br. Matthew Landells
his clear and lively gaze from intensely
and live the monastic life, he said -
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 Picture: Marie-Line Burguiere

Chronicle
It was a long time in the coming, but The Ryde Art Collective’s (T.R.A.C.) Quarr themed
exhibition finally appeared in Quarr Abbey Art Gallery in September 2024. Its origin lies back
five years ago in 2019 but various events conspired to hinder it. First of all, it was stopped by
Covid in 2020. And then, as the passing of time led to group membership changes, more time
was needed for new artists to plan work. Finally, an over-booked Gallery meant space was
unavailable in 2023. But, at last, five years after the initial inspiration, everything came together.
Although inspired by Quarr, the All fed into a complex and multi- painting at Cowdray House in Sussex,
exhibition was not confined to Quarr. faceted vision of an Abbey showing ran along one wall. The depiction of
It was sufficiently large to spread itself to a remarkable group of artists. a running battle around Bembridge
itself across three Island venues: harbour brought the invasion fears of
On a Thursday afternoon walk, a
Quarr Abbey Art Gallery, the Clayden the time home to an Island resident.
number of the community visited
Gallery at Quay Arts in Newport and
the Quay Arts extension of the Elsewhere I was attracted to a video
the “very small” Lind Street Telephone
exhibition. We are a very varied lot but display of coloured engravings made
Kiosk Gallery in Ryde.
we each came away with some fresh by Thomas Rowlandson after an island
It is always interesting to see appreciation of the vision Quarr offers tour in the 1780’s. One engraving in
how outsiders see us, if somewhat to the world. particular stood out. It showed the
disconcerting at times: it is certainly Needles, and looked rather odd! Then,
Dr. Dominic Fontana, Chairman
not as we see ourselves. But, this time my eyes were opened; the lighthouse
of the Friends of Quarr is a man of
at least, it was refreshing. was missing, because not yet built.
many parts. As well as his work for
How unfamiliar such an iconic view
The first thing to be struck by, Quarr he is involved with the Mary
can appear!
was the great variety of media Rose Museum in Portsmouth and the
employed by the nine artists. There Classic Boat Museum in Cowes, Isle of There was a splendid display of
were paintings, sculptures, fabrics, Wight. It was with great pleasure that photographs and models showing the
ceramics, photographs, music and the community accepted his invitation building of motor torpedo boats at
film, and some works which defied to a private guided tour of the latter boatyards on the River Medina around
categorisation. museum on October 1. 1900. They were very narrow and of
extraordinary length to accommodate
Equally various were the elements of After passing through the entrance
boilers; very fast and very advanced for
our life which attracted their attention: hall and greeting Cheryl, Dominic’s
the time.
Gregorian Chant, the life of Saint wife, we entered an area devoted to
Benedict, trees, bees, brick and stone, the sinking of the Mary Rose at the But perhaps the most revolutionary
the quirky corners of the guesthouse, battle of the Solent in 1545. A full design on display comes from our
the history of the monastery, and its size reproduction of the Cowdray own day. Video footage of Britain’s
atmosphere, the stillness and peace. engraving, made after the original America’s Cup entry, Britannia, on
4
trials, showed the slim-lined vessel refurbishment, so necessary to meet which has children especially in mind.
flying rather than sailing on her the needs of present day guests, both A booklet is provided with information
narrow foils, well above the waves, men and women. on selected saints, and clues which
kept aloft by the hands and arms of a lead from one station to another
Father Abbot’s talk was followed by
hard-working crew. It was a fitting end along the route. At each station an
a tour of the renovated areas. The
to a tour through some five hundred image is found; of Saint Bede, Saint
corridors seemed too narrow and the
years of maritime history around the Cecilia, Saint Francis or another saint,
rooms too small for the unusual crush
Isle of Wight. together with a brief word about their
of visitors, but with good humour and
life and virtues. Hopefully, at the end
Much work of renovation has been genuine appreciation everyone got to
of the trail, Hallowe’en will have come
done in the guesthouse this year; a see everything.
forth into its true light.
roof has been replaced, concrete lintels
After the tour’s informal chaos, it
renewed, window frames repaired, and Father Luke has published a number
was a relief to settle down for tea in
two rooms turned into a new ensuite of books during his time at Quarr,
a less confined space, a much more
facility. Over £118,000 has been including his popular, “The Joy of
orderly affair. Tracy, Douglas and the
sourced for the project, and even yet God” which introduces our monastic
Teashop did us all very well, it was
there is still more work to be done. life to the general enquirer. Now, a
warm enough and the M.P.’s children
But it was time to celebrate what had new book is on the horizon and is
were soon running around the garden.
been achieved and to thank all who coming toward us. It is concerned
It was a happy afternoon, but we now
had made it possible. with the thorny question of Truth, a
have to get down to all that remaining
currently much debated topic.
A “Topping Out” ceremony was work.
therefore arranged for October 12, I asked Father Luke for a word about
October 31 is celebrated each year,
and friends and benefactors invited his main thesis. He had this to say:
for the most part, as Hallowe’en, with
to Quarr for an afternoon of events. “In this age of algorithms, it is all too easy to
pumpkins, trick or treat, and images of
These included the newly elected M.P. lose touch with reality. My new book, “Truth
ghosts and ghouls and witches. Many
for East Wight, the honourable Joe in Person”, argues that only through the
Christians are unhappy with casual
Robertson, his wife and two children. human person can we have access to truth.
play-acting which mimics the dark
This is supereminently so of our Saviour who
At 3.00p.m. Father Abbot gave an side of things. The Devil is not to be
bore witness to the truth before Pilate, paid
illustrated talk in the nave of the fooled with, and if he has a sense of
the price for it, and overcame the darkness.
Abbey Church. He covered the history humour, it is not our own.
The book is to be published in April 2025 by
of the Abbey guesthouse from its
In origin Hallowe’en is All Angelico Press”
beginnings, and recounted our more
Hallows, or All Saints, Eve, the day
famous guests including Jacques Look out for it! A review will be
of preparation for the Solemnity of
Maritain, Philippe de Gaulle, Ludwig published in this newsletter shortly
All Saints. To make this preparation a
Wittgenstein, Monsignor Montini, after its appearance.
reality at Quarr we have inaugurated
and Alec Guiness. He concluded with
a Saints Trail about the estate, a Trail Br. Duncan Smith
photographs following the work of
Picture: Marie-Line Burguiere

5
1925-2025: A Modest Centenary on the
Way to 2032’s Ninehundredth Anniversary
On the 15th of January, our community will celebrate a humble but important centenary. One
remembers that the monks of Solesmes arrived on the Isle of Wight in 1901. They settled first at
Appuldurcombe. In 1907, they bought the house and estate of Quarr. From 1907 to 1914, they
built the present monastery. In 1922, a major part of the monastic community of more than one
hundred monks went back to France.
Although the anti-clerical legislation
had not been abolished, the anti-
clerical climate had very much
subsided. Nevertheless, Abbot Germain
Cozien, needed courage and audacity
to arrange the move of the well-known
Solesmes community back to the
monastery of which they had been
despoiled twenty-one years earlier.
Dom Cozien was born in 1878 in
Pleyben, in Western Brittany, of
farming stock. He first joined the ranks
of the diocesan clergy of Quimper
diocese. After earning a Doctorate
degree in Rome, he felt the call to
monastic life and joined the exiled
community of Solesmes on the Isle of
Wight where he made his monastic
profession in 1911. In 1921, he was
elected abbot following the resignation
of Dom Paul Delatte. He was to remain
in this office until 1959 overseeing the
return to Solesmes, the building of the
wing of the library and the so-called
‘new cloister’, the difficult years of
the second world war when a great
number of monks were prisoners, the
foundation of Fontgombault in 1948
and the building of a new wing of the
monastery. He died in 1960.
In 1922, twenty-five monks, fifteen
St. Benedict blesses St. Maurus
priests and ten brothers, remained
at Quarr. The abbey and the estate of Quarr thus bridging a continuity In the meantime, on 15th January
could not be so easily relinquished between the pre-Reformation 1925, Quarr was canonically
even though their future could seem Cistercians and the Benedictine monks constituted as a simple Priory and
a bit uncertain. Nevertheless, as soon of our time. However, his petition, granted its own novitiate. The monks
as 1924, Dom Cozien, made plans duly made to the Roman Curia, was remained for the time being members
for the foundation at Quarr of a not granted. It was deemed prudent of the Solesmes community and
second English house of the Solesmes to wait till the new community professions were still to be made for
Congregation (the first one being the had reached the point when, after Solesmes. But the intention to work
abbey of St Michael of Farnborough, sufficient growth in numbers, it would toward the moment when the Quarr
founded in 1895). He consulted with be possible to elect an abbot. This community would be able to become
the communities of both Solesmes and was to be the case in 1937 when Dom an independent abbey was clearly
Quarr who formally agreed on this Tissot was nominated the first abbot expressed. This date can therefore be
project. At first, Dom Cozien wanted of the newly erected monastery of St considered as the foundation day of
to revive the title of the old abbey Mary of Quarr. our community.

6
Abbot Cozien and Prior Bouvet

The 15th of January was at the time is portrayed in the semblance of our background with a rare gift of kindly human
the feast of St Maurus. This close first Prior, Dom Emile Bouvet. understanding and a wide and deep culture.
disciple of St Benedict was credited Besides being Prior he was Novice Master.
The latter was born in Normandy
with bringing his Rule into Gaul. He He was the ideal interpreter of a great
in 1872. After a time in the clergy of
had therefore been chosen to be the French monastic tradition to English novices.
the diocese of Sées, he entered the
patron of this French Benedictine He was also much involved in the material
Solesmes novitiate in 1900. From
congregation that was made famous administration and in the welcome of guests
the start, he was involved in the
in the seventeenth and eighteenth for which he was particularly gifted. Above
installation of the French monks first
Centuries by its outstanding works all, he was a monk, a man of God and man of
at Appuldurcombe, then at Quarr.
of scholarship. Dom Guéranger, who prayer.”
On the 26th of June 1907, he led the
restored Benedictine life in France
group of four monks (Dom Bouvet, Quarr owes a lot to these two
after the French Revolution, was
Dom Paul Bellot – who was to be the remarkable monks and superiors.
not allowed to retake the title of
architect of the new monastery –, Dom The Breton Dom Cozien brought
Congrégation de Saint-Maur for his
George Bellot - the latter’s brother –, the constancy of an indefatigable
monasteries. But the Congrégation de
and Frère Jean-Baptiste Parc) who resolution strongly rooted in faith.
France of which he became the first
first settled at Quarr. He was thus The Norman Dom Bouvet added his
abbot and president naturally took
able to celebrate the first Mass said at own capacities for adaptation and
Saint Maurus for its patron saint. The
Quarr since the Reformation on the translation. As true founders, they lay
meaning of the date was clear: just as
27th of June 1907. down the basis on which the Quarr
Saint Maurus had brought the Rule to
community is still relying today.
France, the monastery whose existence While the Solesmes community was
officially began under his patronage at Quarr, Dom Bouvet was in charge In celebrating the 100th anniversary
was meant to live in the spirit of St of the lay-brothers – a group of around of the foundation of Quarr, we
Benedict, bringing its own modest 30 monks – and the farm. His good remember the monks who generously
contribution to the rich Benedictine command of the English language, his renounced going back to France and
tradition of England. knowledge of English spiritual authors fully engaged in the adventure of the
and literature, and his great practical beginnings of a new monastery. May
The memory of this day was to
sense, made of him a keyperson in the it be given us to continue the work to
be expressed in a painting by Dom
history of our house. Our necrology which they dedicated themselves in
Subercaseaux for the altar of St
speaks highly of this great monk: the same Spirit of faith, hope and love.
Maurus in the crypt of the abbey. It
features a venerable St Benedict giving “In his strong personality, he combined Abbot Xavier
his blessing to St Maurus whose face the shrewd realism of his Norman yeoman

7
 Saint of Darkness
Mother Teresa

In Dark Divine,
My Thirst, your light.
I know your pain.
Dissolve self-will
In Sacred Potation.
Drink deep within
My Blood poured out,
My Thirst to quench,
My Will to gain,
And be My Light.
By you I write
My Love Divine
Etched on fabric
Of human plight.
Expand your love
Become divine.
As My servant1 wrote
‘Love makes lovers equal’.
Bear Me to My poorest
Following My Mother,
She who was
My first
Missionary of Charity.

Dom Brian Gerard Kelly

Photo courtesy of Mother Teresa Center

1
St Francis De Sales: ‘Treatise on the Love of God’, Book 5
8