THE DIOCESE OF TRURO
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COMPANIONS OF ST GUÉNOLÉWorking together for unity RULE OF PRAYERMembers pledge themselves to pray daily for unity in Christ, for the Brothers of Landévennec, for the Bishop and people of the Diocese of Quimper and for each other – as far as possible at one of the Hours of Prayer at the Monastery – Vigil 04.50; Lauds 07.30; Mass 11.15; None 14.00; Vespers 18.15 and Compline 20.30
‘There is one body and one spirit, one hope held out in God’s
call to us: |
COLLECT FOR ST. WINWALOE(FEAST DAY APRIL 28th)Almighty God, by whose grace the blessed Abbot Winwaloe became a burning and shining light in your Church, kindle in us the same spirit of discipline and love that we may ever walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Abbaye St Guénolé, Landévennec |
The Association of the Companions of St. Guénolé
exists to promote unity in Jesus Christ.
Its aims are:
- To draw together Christians in the South West of Britain and Brittany for the strengthening of relationships, the deepening of spirituality and the growth of understanding.
- To support in prayer and fellowship the Abbot and Monks of the
Abbey of Landévennec under the patronage of their Celtic
founder,
St. Guénolé, known in Britain as St. Winwaloe.
The President of the Association is the Abbot of Landévennec and the Patrons are the Bishop of Quimper, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, the Anglican Bishop of Truro, the Chairman of the Cornwall District of the Methodist Church, the Very Revd. Arch Priest of the Orthodox Church and Lord St. Levan, DSC. The Association’s AGM is held each year usually in April. For some years the venue was St. Michael’s Mount where, in the Middle Ages, Benedictine monks from Mont St. Michel had a sister community. Currently it is held at Epiphany House, Truro. In addition to the AGM the Association holds an autumn meeting and produces a periodic newsletter.
These links between Cornwall and Brittany go back to the days of the Celtic Church. At that time there was no Diocesan structure as we know it, since it pre-dated the arrival of St. Augustine of Canterbury by several centuries. Instead each monastic settlement would take on the name of its founding father, usually an Abbot or Abbot/Bishop. One such Abbot was St. Winwaloe, the patron saint of the parish of Landewednack on the Lizard peninsula. St. Winwaloe was actually born in Brittany but of Cornish parents, who in the fifth century had fled there from the invading Saxons. He it was who in AD 485 founded the Monastery of Landévennec, which is situated on the banks of the lovely river Aulne, 50 kms to the north of Quimper.
The original abbey was destroyed by the Normans in AD 913, but was rebuilt and became one of the leading intellectual and spiritual places in Brittany. It was suppressed during the French Revolution but in 1950 was bought back by monks from Kerbénéat, who decided to rebuild it. Today it flourishes on virtually the same site and is the object of pilgrimage by many individuals and groups, both from Brittany and elsewhere in France. The monks of Landévennec follow the rule of St. Benedict with its emphasis on prayer, work and the offering of hospitality. For many years individuals from Cornwall and the South West have gone there on retreat.
In 1987 an ecumenical gathering was held at Towednack in West Cornwall, attended by the Abbot and several monks from Landévennec. The Companions of St. Guénolé came into being as a direct result of that meeting and in 1989 the English Patrons led a group pilgrimage to the monastery.
This was the first of a series of pilgrimages by Christians of all denominations in the South West, thus bringing together Christians of all traditions in Brittany and Cornwall for prayer, meditation and discussion. These pilgrimages now include visits by young people. Every three years a pilgrimage is organised for the Church leaders from Cornwall and in 2006 three representatives from Churches in Brittany were invited to join them for a meeting.
The current annual membership subscription is £10 for individuals or £12 for family membership, payable in April each year. If you would like to become a member, please contact the Secretary:
Revd. Canon Dr Stephen Dawes,
5 St Aubyn’s Road,
Truro
TR1 2DU.
Tel: 01872 223181
e-mail:
PRAYER FOR UNITY
O
God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we affirm our faith in you as the
Holy One,
and our conviction that you have called us to witness to the
perfect unity of your love,
to continue in your work of reconciliation
and to reveal you to the world.
Enable us to seek the peace and unity
which is your will.
Amen.
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