In 2008, I had the great pleasure of visiting the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in the company of MadPriest and Mrs MadPriest, and a lovely visit it was, both for the pleasure of their company and for the lovely walk through the beautiful ruins. As I said in my post:
What a holy place. I could sense the presence of many saints from the past who prayed there, and the prayers seemed to linger in the abbey. I thought of our blog friend Prior Aelred of St. Gregory's Abbey, because his namesake was abbot of Rievaulx Abbey.
And Happy Feast Day to Prior Aelred!
Collect of the Day: Aelred, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167
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. Amen.
Rievaulx Abbey - my photo
Image at the head of the post from The Daily Office.