Anglican Religious Life

A yearbook of religious orders and communities in

the Anglican Communion and tertiaries, oblates,

associates and companions.

ORDER OF ST BENEDICT  OSB

St Mark’s Abbey, Camperdown

 

 The community was founded in the parish of St Mark, Fitzroy, in the archdiocese of Melbourne on 8 November 1975, when the first two monks were clothed.  In 1980, after working in this inner city parish for five years, and after adopting the Rule of Saint Benedict, they moved to the country town of Camperdown in the Western District of Victoria.  Here the community lives a contemplative monastic life with the emphasis on the balanced life of prayer and work that forms the benedictine ethos.  In 1993, the Chapter decided to admit women and to endeavour to establish a mixed community of monks and nuns.  To this end, two nuns came from Malling Abbey (UK) and one has transferred her stability to Camperdown.  The community supports itself through the operation of a printery, icon reproduction, manufacture of incense, crafts and a small guest house.  A permanent monastery has now been built and the monastery church was consecrated by the diocesan bishop in February 1995.  On 8 November 2000, in the presence of a congregation of over 300 friends, the community celebrated its silver jubilee of foundation at a concelebrated Mass in St Mark’s, Fitzroy, at which the Archbishop of Melbourne presided.  On July 11th 2002, the community elected the founder, Dom Michael King, as the first Abbot and he was blessed by the Bishop Visitor in the Abbey Church on the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6th 2002.

In 2005, the Chapter petitioned the Subiaco Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation for aggregation to the Congregation.  After a period of probation this was granted on the Feast of SS Peter and Paul 2007.  This is an historic step for an our community, giving us the opportunity to live our life in association with the Subiaco Congregation, thereby receiving the benefits of such a world-wide body but retaining ourAnglican ethos - a great step in ecumenism.  Abbot Michael was able to attend the General Chapter of the Congregation held at Subiaco in September 2008 and the Abbot President, assisted by the Abbot of Pluscarden, conducted a Visitation in January 2009.  The fruits of our association are already being shown forth.

 

Benedictine Abbey, PO Box 111, Camperdown, Victoria 3260, AUSTRALIA

Tel: 3 5593 2348 Fax: 3 5593 2887 Email: benabbey@dodo.com.au

 

Website: www.benedictineabbey.com.au

 

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