Pluscarden Abbey

We are a community of Catholic Benedictine monks living in the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose.

Situated in north-east Scotland, six miles south-west of Elgin in Moray, the monastery enjoys the peace and stillness of a secluded glen, but is easily reached by road from the town. The atmosphere of quiet reflection and of work dedicated to the glory of God is the same now as it was in the thirteenth century, when a community of monks first came to this part of Moray.

If you visit the Abbey today, you can enjoy not only the beauty of its architecture and its setting but also something of the restful atmosphere of devotion that has so deeply permeated this little corner of Scotland. The Mass and full Divine Office are sung by the monks each day in the Abbey church, using Gregorian Chant.

Guests are received in the two guest houses: men and women of all faiths are welcome to make a retreat here and to share in the prayer and work of the community, or simply rest and renew their focus on what is most important.

Abbatial Election

The community asks the patience of its friends as we wait to announce the outcome of our recent Abbatial Election. The matter is at present in the hands of the competent authorities. It is possible that a few days will pass before we are able to broadcast the decision.

Latest news
Abbatial Election

The community asks the patience of its friends as we wait to announce the outcome of our recent Abbatial Election. The matter is at present in the hands of the competent authorities. It is possible that a few days will pass before we are able to broadcast the decision.

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Thanks to our Builders!

On Friday 15 November a number of prominent members of our building team assembled at the Abbey in order to be properly thanked for their hard work, professionalism and dedication.

Each was given a specially carved and inscribed wooden plaque as a memento of their months spent toiling here: also a pound jar of Pluscarden honey, and a bottle of Pluscarden apple juice! After suitable speeches and presentations, a lunch followed for all, served up from the kitchen these workers had themselves constructed.

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Cleaning Church gutters

All the gutters around our ancient buildings tend to fill quite quickly with soil; then to acquire a rich abundance of grass and other plant life. This causes all sorts of problems. The gutters should be cleared out regularly. But that job is difficult, and usually eye-wateringly expensive!

Public Blessing of St. Joseph's Guest House

At the time of writing (12 November 2024) our beautiful new St. Joseph's guest house is essentially finished, though not yet occupied by guests.

Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, 3 November 2024, Sunday 31B: Mark 12:28-34

Also St. Margaret’s Forres

Today's Gospel comes as a brief moment of relief amid the tension and foreboding of St. Mark's Gospel narrative. The episode is set in Holy Week, after Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, to cries of Hosanna. Before and after it we read only of bitter confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities.

Homily for Sunday 30B, 27 October 2024: Psalm 104:3; Mark 10:46-52 etc.

As the procession entered Mass this morning we sang the Introit Laetetur cor - Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and be strengthened. Seek his face always. These words are taken from Psalm 104 (in our Greek numbering. St. Benedict has us sing it each week at Saturday Vigils). The idea of seeking God occurs several times in the Psalms (cf. e.g. Ps 39/40:16; 68/69:6 etc.) Another familiar Introit has a closely related text, taken from another Psalm (26/27:8-9): Tibi dixit cor meum - To you my heart has said, I have sought your face. I will earnestly seek your face O Lord. Do not turn your face away from me.

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Abbatial election

The date for our Abbatial election has been set for Thursday 14th November.

Pluscarden Benedictines No. 207 - Autumn 2024

The quarterly magazine which generally includes a letter from Fr Abbot, a diary of recent activity at the Abbey, book reviews and articles by monks, oblates or visitors.

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Meanwhile (12 October 2024)

As our new guest house nears completion, work has now started in earnest on the Lodge at the bottom of our drive. Our local builders Colin Thomson and Son are doing this work.

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Retreat, Apples, Building.

The Pluscarden community retreat, scheduled for the first week in October, was nearly cancelled this year when our booked preacher had to cancel due to sickness. Happily Fr. Bill Russell WF was in the area, and agreed to stand in as our preacher at a very late stage.

Homily for Sunday 26B, 29 September 2024: Mark 9:38-48 (& James 5:1-6) 8 o’clock at Pluscarden, and 11.00 St. Margaret’s Forres

In today’s Gospel we heard three or four somewhat disparate sayings of Jesus. These are part of a series of five or six which St. Mark has grouped together here. They are united by linking “catch words”. Also there’s a general theme of belonging to Jesus, or not; and the ultimate consequences of that.

I should like to focus now on the last of our sayings today: the really shocking one about millstones around necks, and hands and feet being chopped off, and eyes gouged out.

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25 September 2024: the 50th anniversary of the Abbatial Blessing of Abbot Alfred

Wednesday 25th September this year marked the 50th anniversary of Pluscarden’s attainment of Abbatial status. In mediaeval times Pluscarden was always a Priory, ruled by a Prior. He had the right to use a crozier, but not a Mitre. But on this day in 1974 Dom Alfred Spencer, up to then Prior of Pluscarden, was blessed as Abbot by Bishop Michael Foylan of Aberdeen: and so Pluscarden became an Abbey.

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