The Cistercians and the Cistercian Way

To embark on a pilgrimage along the Cistercian Way is no mean endeavour. The circular route is over 650 miles but is easily broken into shorter more manageable journeys. Following the Cistercian Way offers the opportunity to take in the rich spirituality and history of Wales.

The Cistercians found in Wales places where they could find solitude, a simplicity of life and space where they could engage in their Opus Dei, Work of God though the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours.
The Cistercians encouraged Welsh poetry and recorded Welsh history.
The Monasteries and Abbeys were not, however, immune from the political and economic events nor pressures of patrons.
Monastic Wales listed 59 monastic sites, during the Reformation 1536-1538 saw the closure of all monasteries. These two years were not just a period of closure, but the widespread destruction and plundering of these Christian sites.

To continue reading this reflction from Revd Derek Akker click here … 01 Whitland Reflection