A Place I Want To Visit In England

Rievaulx Abbey

"Pour into our hearts, O God, the Holy Spirit's gift of love, that we, clasping each the other's hand, may share the joy of friendship, human and divine, and with your servant Aelred draw many to your community of love; through Jesus Christ the Righteous, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever."

Prayer attributed to Aelred of Rievaulx

Aelred was born in 1109 at Durham, and was sent to the Scottish court for an education that would ensure his future as a noble and courtier. He succeeded, to the extent of being made Master of the Household of the King of Scotland. Nevertheless, he found success at the court of an earthly king unsatisfying, and at the age of 24 he entered the Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx in Yorkshire. Bernard of Clairvaux encouraged him to write his first work, The Mirror of Charity, which deals with seeking to follow the example of Christ in all things. In 1147 he became abbot of Rievaulx, a post which he held until his death of kidney disease twenty years later at the age of 57.

From James Kiefer at the Lectionary.

I love ruins, especially ruins of sacred spaces. I'll never forget my visit to Glendalough Abbey, St. Kevin's monastery, in Ireland. While I was there, I experienced a sense that I was on holy ground and an almost physical presence. Over the centuries, many prayers were prayed there, and perhaps what I felt was the lingering presence of the prayers and of all the saints who prayed there.

Earlier in the week, I wanted to post on the Feast Day of Aelred, but I didn't have time. I wanted to send blessings and good wishes to Prior Aelred of St. Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan, on the feast day of his namesake, but I didn't do that either.

Prior Aelred, if you happen to pass by, a belated Blessed and Happy St. Aelred's Feast Day!

UPDATE: I visited Rievaulx Abbey in March 2009. It's a lovely and holy place.