Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

54
BOARDERS’ VISIT TO RIEVAULX ABBEY
One Sunday, Fr John invited boarders to
join him in visiting the peaceful ruins of
Rievaulx Abbey. Situated in the North
Yorkshire Moors National Park, the Abbey
provides a serene and reflective local
attraction.
Fr John’s good friend and local historian,
Lucy Warrack met us there and then Lucy
walked the students through the ruined
Abbey while providing them with a vivid
portrayal of what life was like for monks in
medieval times. The students remained
reverent in respect of other visitors and the
tranquil atmosphere of the Abbey. As they
listened curiously to Lucy, they discovered
how the monks lived their day to lives
within the Abbey, what their work entailed
and how the Abbey itself was built by their
bare hands. Fr John compared his first hand
experience of life in Ampleforth Abbey to
what life was like for monks in Rievaulx
Abbey. As a result of Fr John and Lucy
kindly sharing their knowledge, the
students walked away with a strong insight
into how times have changed and what it
meant to be a Cistercian monk from the
year 1132 onwards.
The day out finished with a lovely tea,
kindly hosted by Mrs Birkett, whose
beautiful house overlooks the ruins.
Boarders’ visit to
Rievaulx Abbey