Retreat, reflect, renew: Why New Norcia remains a spiritual haven
New Norcia continues to be a favourite place of spiritual retreat for many people, and is attracting an ever-widening range of participants.
It is very common for retreats to be fully booked well in advance, such as our most recent weekend, on November 14-16, on ‘Benedictine Secrets for Serenity and Balance.’ The retreatants for that weekend (pictured above), included two independent groups from Singapore, as well as inter-state attendees. In addition, our regular visitors are always very welcome, many of whom attend several retreats annually and have done so for numerous years.
The participants at the retreat were all extremely grateful for the insights and hospitality, with comments that it was a unique and life-changing experience which they would certainly be recommending to their friends and colleagues.
Our retreats offer not only a restful, relaxing and re-energising experience, but also a rare opportunity to gain access to the wonderful wisdom and practices of an authentic and living contemplative monastic tradition.
Retreats for 2026 are now listed online at our webshop, and interested persons are encouraged to book early to secure a place.
The unique experience of liturgical music at New Norcia
Today, many Australian parishes, especially those in rural areas, struggle with music ministry, as finding committed and capable musicians and singers is often a great challenge.
At New Norcia, however, we are delighted to present a very diverse and creative form of musical praise, thanks to our many wonderful participants. For All Souls’ Day, for example, there were no less than two cellists, a violinist, two guitarists, and a choir of singers, and, of course, myself in the background somehow putting it all together. And just the week before, the liturgy was enhanced by a visiting opera singer of international standing, singing in wonderful harmony with some of our gifted locals.
As well as the variety of instrumentalists and singers, the stylistic approach we have developed is also eclectic and yet cohesive. Original compositions, classical pieces, traditional hymns, contemporary worship music, mediaeval chants, and even hints of jazz, blues and world music, are all to be found, contributing eloquently to the same message of faith and freedom. I am very keen on permitting (and even encouraging) musicians and singers to make full use of their skills and creativity (to use the words of the Psalm, “to play with all their skill”), which makes participation a genuinely rewarding and uplifting experience for them as well as the listeners. Indeed, few Sundays go by when someone does not comment that the music at New Norcia’s Masses is outstanding, unique and unlike anything they have encountered elsewhere. In this respect, the vibrant tradition of musical excellence and originality, first brought to New Norcia by Rosendo Salvado himself, lives strongly once more.
Irish music concert
Robert Zielinski and Manuela Centanni gave us a wonderful concert of Irish music here at the Abbey church on Friday night 21st November.
We did joke with them about their very Irish surnames. Manuela thought she should put an O’ in front of hers, but Robert insisted that his surname was traditional Donegal!
Robert is of Polish extraction, West Australian born, and lived 14 years in Ireland.
He has returned to the South West in the Denmark area, and his compositions are inspired by the landscape/seascape and the Karri forests.
Manuela and Robert mostly played Robert’s compositions, punctuated by traditional tunes and reels.
Repainting the monastery
For a couple of weeks the monastery gate area was completely shrouded while the Eric Hood painters very carefully sandblasted the gate and the surrounding structure to ready it for painting.
And no, Eric Hood does not employ aliens to do the work. The sandblaster is well protected from the silica sand in a full suit and a ventilated and shrouded helmet.
Western Power fire risk mitigation works
There was some excitement this morning (7th Nov) sparked by the sound of a helicopter close by, that I couldn’t quite see, but was persistent and loud.
This is what I found:
Western Power had informed us that they would be washing pole top insulators using a helicopter. This mitigates the chances of pole top fires and the resultant (often long) delays while repair crews make their way to remote places.
I’m happy that I’m not flying a helicopter so close to power lines or sitting outside with the washing equipment, but these brave souls are doing a wonderful job!
An interesting discovery in New Norcia’s archives
New Norcia’s archives continue to be a source of fascinating and sometimes amusing glimpses into the past. Recently, internationally acclaimed opera singer Allegra Giagu has been researching the music of New Norcia in the 19th and early 20th centuries, supported by the Abbot Placid Memorial Scholarship.
One of her most remarkable discoveries, unearthed during one of her long nightly vigils in the music archives, was a song written by an unnamed monk of the community. She described it as “an unlikely piece of popular satire, perhaps never intended for posterity. It belongs to the world of Spanish café-concerts of the 1860s and 1870s: informal gatherings where songs of everyday life and social commentary were performed with theatrical humour.
These songs combined wit, irony, and local colour with simple, memorable melodies. The text is sung by a tipsy narrator whose utopian dream disintegrates with her hangover. In her fantasy, Parliament has closed for lack of disagreement, peace reigns across the nation, taxation is abolished, and “to every taxpayer—even the Government—a ham!” When she wakes, the only part of the dream that proves real is the merluza—literally “the hake,” but in colloquial Spanish, a slang term for a spectacular hangover.”
The Abbot's Table: Spring
Herewith feedback from a happy Abbot's Table guest:
Saturday night was another triumph! The entrée was just fantastic. I marvel at your ability to get three different, high quality and delicious elements on one plate.
I loved the sirloin, potato cake, horseradish and the sauce.
Dessert was a show stopper! Loved the 3 flavours of ice-cream. The pastry was great as was the fruit. The cheese platter was a winner. Wines were just great.
We are pleased to announce the date for the next dinner of 2026, to be held at the grand old New Norcia Hostel: ‘La Table de l’Abbé’ The Abbot’s Table Summer 21st February, 2026!
New Norcia Retreat and Study Programme for 2026 now available
We are very pleased to announce that the programme for New Norcia’s retreats and courses are now available for 2026.
On offer is a series of varied events focusing on Benedictine spirituality, meditation, and the cultivation of inner peace and freedom. As well as our customary weekend retreats, a number of one-day options is also available.
Our weekend and one-day retreats are an opportunity to step back from the usual concerns of life into a setting of tranquility and reflection, and to absorb the ancient wisdom of our monastic tradition. Participants are encouraged to book well in advance, as events are often fully booked.
Please visit the New Norcia online giftshop to book any retreats or study programmes: New Norcia Shop
Weekend Retreat: March 6-8, 2026
Lenten Retreat - blessed are the pure of heart (Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB)
For forty days before commencing His public ministry, Jesus retreated into the desert, fasting and living a life of absolute simplicity. In imitation of this example, the forty days of Lent should be for Christians a time of consciously uncluttering our lives and heart, and freeing ourselves from all the extraneous baggage and complexities which hold us back from the freedom and simplicity to which God is calling us. This weekend retreat will assist participants identify practical and effective ways of simplifying and uncluttering their lives and heart.
One-day Retreat: March 21, 2026
Prayer - Connection with the God who knows you (Sr. Hilda Scott, OSB)
This retreat will be a gentle day allowing us to wander through our own connections with God and the many ways in which He connects with us, as we are in the here and now. That connection is “prayer” and as there are so many and varied ways to say “I love you”, there are that many ways to pray, to connect with God and He with you. Prayer it is that brings meaning and sustenance to our lives in all weathers, indeed “More things are wrought by prayer than this world ever dreams” said the English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Weekend Retreat: April 10-12, 2026
Benedictine secrets for balance and serenity (Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB & Sr. Hilda Scott, OSB )
The Benedictine way of life is recognized for its promotion of balance and serenity, and the flourishing of the Order of St. Benedict for over 1,500 years is clear testimony to this reality. This weekend retreat will unlock for participants the secret wisdom of St. Benedict, for achieving a sustainable life of balance and serenity.
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At New Norcia, your feedback helps shape a better experience for every visitor. We actively listen through a variety of channels:
- Our in-house visitor survey
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Whether it’s a suggestion, a story, or a snapshot—every bit of feedback helps us grow and improve.
