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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£1.1M
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Spending
£1.3M
Public benefits
What are the direct benefits flowing from your organisation's purposes? Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey is a holy place not only for those who are of the Catholic faith but for all. It provides a spiritual centre of Christian culture and heritage for people of all faiths and all people of goodwill. Nonetheless, it does seek to specifically promote the
teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Society in general benefits from the Abbey’s very existence as a constant pointer to something beyond the transience and materiality of this world. It bears witness to the contemplative dimension of Christian life. It demonstrates the monastic ideal to the individuals and groups who visit the monastery and its bookshop. Some visitors are moved to spiritual renewal. Some are encouraged to acknowledge and address challenges in their personal lives. Some, struggling with mental health issues, find peace and respite during their visit. Few are left unmoved by their visit and will take the experience back with them into their homes, workplaces and the wider society. How can the benefits identified above be demonstrated? These benefits can be evidenced from the constant flow of visitors to the monastery seven days a week, many who have been repeatedly coming for years to experience the peace, warm welcome and spiritual example offered by the community. Visitors travel from all over Northern Ireland as well as from the Republic of Ireland, the UK and further afield. From regular feedback we know that the Community and what it stands witness to is greatly valued by those who have spent time here. Is there any harm arising from any of the purposes? No. Who are the charity's beneficiaries? The charity's beneficiaries are people living throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK. Is there any private benefit flowing from any of the purposes? Is it incidental and necessary? There is no private benefit flowing from this purpose.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The Cistercian monks of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey lead a monastic way of life in solitude and silence, in prayer and penitence as defined in the Constitutions. They seek God and follow Christ under a rule and an abbot in a stable community sharing everything in common. The community celebrate two Masses each day. These are attended by the
public, some of whom have an active role in the celebration (Mass Servers, Readers, Ministers of the Eucharist). On occasions we do provide cover for local parish priests. Currently confessions are heard by the priests of the community six days each week. There is a special Confessional Chapel for this which is always open to the public. On all days, even outside of the normal hours, people can go to Reception and ask to see a priest for confession should none be on duty. In our Guesthouse at least one member of the community is on duty seven days a week. Visitors can simply walk in and ask to speak to a monk. While the hearing of confessions is certainly part of the work in the Guesthouse, it forms only the smaller part of it. The visitors who come do so for mostly pastoral reasons: to talk about their personal or family problems or to ask for prayers, blessings etc. The vast majority seek an attentive and compassionate ear - someone who will listen to them in confidence. It is a unique, free service, and open-to-all. Our Guesthouse is also residential. Anyone of good will who is over eighteen can come and avail of our hospitality. Generally, all who come do so for some spiritual purpose. The Guesthouse also hosts groups, again usually of a religious nature. Its conference room is used by the public at least once a week. We take part in an annual Heritage Open Day when guided tours of the whole monastery are offered to individuals or public groups.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of religion
Who the charity helps
- General public
- Overseas/developing countries
How the charity works
- Religious activities
