© 2005 - 2008 Friends of Augustine

Friends of Augustine - UK

With Your  Word You pierced my heart,  and I loved You

 

Pilgrimage 2008 Clare Priory

Augustinian Laity Gathering, Clare Priory 05-07 September 2008

Theme: Unity, Truth, Charity.
Guest Speaker: Deacon Nigel Bavidge

The Weekend:

 

Local Friends of Augustine were joined by friends from Carlisle and Hythe and members of our own parish for last weekend's Augustinian Workshop.

 

Led by Nigel Bavidge they examined Scripture and some of Augustine's reflections which are particularly relevant to our own time.

 

Nigel's first talk was on Genesis 3.  Augustine sees this as a story of disconnectedness, when Adam and Eve start hiding from themselves, from each other, from creation and from God. This leads to division, barriers, isolation and loneliness, which society suffers from today.  The parables and miracles in the New Testament are about repairing this damage. Blind Bartimaeus and the leper, for example, and the woman caught in adultery were not only healed or forgiven. Jesus restored them to society.

 

Jesus reconciles us too, and with healing comes responsibility. Augustine emphasises the need to live in unity, truth and love. The big challenge for us is to work this out in our families, parishes and workplaces.

 

Nigel suggested that the Rule of St Augustine, followed by so many Orders of men and women in the Church, offers a way forward for all people. For instance - we search for God together. Carry one another's burden together. So whatever we do should be done with enthusiasm and for the greater good of all.  Augustine points out that God understands what Augustine did not understand about himself. The Confessions in the story of Augustine beginning to understand himself. "Everything I learn," he said, "is leading to God." "Let those who are quicker in understanding reflect that they are walking along the road together." We look forward to travelling with Augustine and Nigel in Boarbank Hall, 23/25 January 2009.

 

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Initial report by Ian Harding:

 

Friday evening commenced with the arrival of “Friends” from Carlisle, Cumbria and Hythe, Kent. After supper we met for Prayer and meditated on “The Whole Christ -Together one body”.

 

Saturday saw the arrival of Brother Nigel from his home in Yorkshire and we commenced with Morning Prayer with the Clare Community. 21 of us sat down to listen to Nigel’s talks on Unity, Truth and Charity from an Augustinian viewpoint. A full report of this will follow shortly.  Between the sessions we shared Midday Prayer and lunch with the Community as well as several cups of tea and coffee, aided by the odd biscuit or two. Celebration of Mass for Sunday, Adoration and Evening Prayer ended the formal part of the day. After Supper we had time to catch up with our fellow Friends of Augustine.

 

Sunday commenced with Morning Prayer with the Community, Nigel “batted” several questions that had arisen from Saturday’s session. A short business session took place looking at whether we were meeting our goals set in 2006 and finally agreed to arrange the next meeting in January at Boarbank, Cumbria. A phone call in the afternoon set a provisional date at Boarbank for  23rd - 25th January 2009.

 

Nigel brought with him two new topics to add to our “Augustine for Today” compiled by Sr Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall; “The Gentleness of God” and “The Goodness of Creation”.  We thank Sr Margaret for sharing her insights.

 

Paul Bethel thanked Nigel on our behalf for  such a stimulating set of sessions.