A Centre for New/Lay Monastic Practice and Study

Fostering a monastic spirit in the Church and society

  • Spiritual direction, consultancy and coaching support – online or face to face.
  • Guided reading
  • eLearning short courses
  • Spirituality workshops, online and face to face
  • Retreats
  • Apprenticeships
  • Study Breaks (With use of our library of 3500 books on Christian, Celtic and monastic spirituality)
  • Monos Conference

Centre of New Monasticism

Centre of New Monasticism

Over the last 20-30 years there has been an increasing interest in monastic spirituality as a path of Christian growth and discipleship. Many have referred to this as ‘New Monasticism’. While it may be new in our era, it is not new in history. Throughout the history of Christian monasticism there have been many experiments of non-monastic Christians embracing monastic practices, theology and various monastic charisms. For some, this has meant connecting formally with a traditional monastic community through becoming and oblate or tertiary. For an increasing number of people, it has meant seeking the wisdom and guidance of the tradition in living out one’s Chrisian journey. New Monasticism has emerged to nurture and encourage people on this path.


“Surely new monasticism is an oxymoron.” – A Cistercian Monk

And of course, the monk is right. The monastic tradition across the centuries has not been one static institution. It has adapted and changed within an ever-changing world, holding to the best of the tradition while expressing its life in fresh ways. For example, the Benedictine tradition, founded by St. Benedict of Nursia around the fifth century, underwent significant reform in the tenth century at Cluny and in the twelfth at Citeaux. This is but one example of monastic life emerging afresh in new times.

We are in one of those times now with the rise of ‘New Monasticism’. While this has been expressed in different ways, they all seek to address our circumstances of the late 20th Century and early 21st Century through drawing on the wisdom of the monastic tradition. For some, this has meant that they see themselves as replacing the older institutional forms of monasticism. For others, it has meant seeking to return to the more established traditional forms of monastic life.

While we at Monos believe there will always be a place for traditional monasticism, our aim is to introduce people to and help nurture them in the monastic way through providing education, consultancy, workshops, publications and training opportunities through apprenticeships.

This Centre is an inclusive and safe space to explore, pray, discuss and learn together and discern the wind of the Spirit in where new monasticism is being called amidst its multiple expressions and experiences. It is also a place whereby new monasticism can continue to have healthy conversation with the institution monasticism. Ultimately, this Centre is a place to support people and connect them with others who find themselves drawn to new monasticism and monastic spirituality with varying degrees of engagement.

We’d love you to join us on this journey….