Farnborough

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

For years the flow of postulants caused acute problems at Prinknash Abbey when building restrictions prevented the extensive constructions that were really needed. In 1943, through the kindness of friends, a house was made available for the Community in the entrancing Wye Valley just above Tintern. This in its turn became too small for the overflow community and in 1945 the little group was augmented and transferred to Millichope Hall near Craven Arms in the beautiful south Shropshire country. Although this fine residence was only intended to be a temporary monastery, it provided the accomodation so much needed for the monks and also for some of the arts and crafts of the Community, weaving, vestment-making, carving, and painting etc.

 

PRINKNASH TO FARNBOROUGH

 

However, in May 1947, a further move was made to St. Michael's Abbey , Farnborough, in Hampshire. The French Community which had lived there for many years had become so small that this historic Abbey was repopulated by the Benedictines of Prinknash. At this point in time the monks were withdrawn from Millichope and a Community of about twenty-five was established at Farnborough at Whitsuntide, 1947. And so, Farnborough became the first daughter-house of the Benedictines of Prinknash and the wanderings of the overflow community were brought to an end.

 

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

 

The Abbey Church at Farnborough is a sumptuous example of the flamboyant French Gothic crowned by a Renaissance style of cupola recalling the dome of the Invalides where Napoleon I lies buried. Dedicated to Saint Michael, this church was built by the exiled Empress Eugenie during the years 1883-88 to receive the remains of her husband the Emporer Napolean III and of her only son the Prince Imperial, whose tragic death in Zululand 1879 stirred up the imagination and sympathy of the entire English nation. In the crypt of this magnificent mausoleum the Empress was laid to rest in 1920 in a sarcophagus which, like those of Napolean III and the Prince Imperial, is a strikingly simple monolith of Aberdeen granite.

 

In 1954 the beautiful shrine of Our Lady of Farnborough was solemnly blessed; and the sitting Madonna and Child enthroned above the Lady Chapel has become a centre of inspiring devotion.

 

ARTS AND CRAFTS AT FARNBOROUGH

 

The wood-carving studios which in 1947 were transferred to the more commodious workshops at Farnborough have sent forth a constant procession of Saints to adorn the churches of these isles. Most noteworthy, perhaps, is the statue of Our Lady of the Taper which was solemnly blessed in Westminster Cathedral by the late Cardinal Griffin in April 1956 before it made a triumphal progress through the parishes of Wales, which was brought to a close when Bishop Petit of Menevia enshrined the statue in the tiny chapel at Cardigan on the banks of the river Teifi. Another Madonna executed 'in tempera' by a monk of Farnborough is of Our Lady of Malmesbury, in the church there. As well as painting and sculture, bookbinding was also carried out.

 

At the centre of all this is the Community's devotion to the solemn and dignified celebration of the Liturgy, carried out each day in the spacious setting of the Abbey Church, which, by its acoustics, brings out the full richness and beauty of the Gregorian Chant.

 

continuing.............

 

Hampshire County Council have a page on the Internet for

St. Michael's Abbey so click here for that information.