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for the monks and nuns who lived there
hundreds of years ago
monasteries were places to live a
heavenly life on earth and to discover a
spiritual inner peace
today the ruins of the great abbeys of
england still provide spaces for
contemplation and renewal regardless of
your religious beliefs
this autumn english heritage is inviting
you to visit the monasteries in its care
and to seek peace and inspiration
amongst their ancient stones and
beautiful landscapes
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one of the great monastic figures of the
middle ages saint ayl red
abbott of the magnificent rivo abbey in
yorkshire
wrote about life at the abbey
elred described escaping from the
tumult of the world
and in today's busy and noisy world i
hope his words ringing out across the
centuries
inspire you and evoke the serenity he
found
our food is scanty our garments rough
our drink is from the stream and our
sleep upon our book
under our tired limbs there is a hard
mat
when sleep is sweetest we must rise at a
bell's bidding
self-will has no scope there is no
moment for idleness or dissipation
everywhere peace
everywhere serenity and a marvelous
freedom from the tumult of the world
such unity and concord is there among
the brethren that each thing
seems to belong to all and all to each
to put all in brief
no perfection expressed in the words of
the gospel or of the apostles or in the
writings of the fathers or in the
sayings of the monks of old is wanting
to our order
and our way of life
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[Applause]
[Music]
you