Welcome!
The Congregation of St Romuald was founded by the late Rt Revd Dom Aelred Peter Distin OSB CSR in 1993 as a dispersed Benedictine Order with a charism oriented towards solitude and contemplation. At one time it had more than a dozen members. In 2014, and subsequent years, some of the remaining members of OSB CSR united with the Holy Cross Benedictines of Adoration. Today the Congregation of St Romuald continues as an umbrella group for several groups which share the solitary charism to some degree.
As the spirituality of the hermit's cell is central to the Romualdian charism, this website has been arranged as a collection of virtual "cells" in which the aspiring hermit may find some inspiration from the various traditions of monastic solitude.
We welcome applications from other solitaries; both individuals and groups, that are in communion with us. Presently the Congregation has two communities in membership, the Holy Cross Benedictines of Adoration and the Franciscan Hermits of Sts Francis and Clare, as well as one Carthusian hermit.
As the spirituality of the hermit's cell is central to the Romualdian charism, this website has been arranged as a collection of virtual "cells" in which the aspiring hermit may find some inspiration from the various traditions of monastic solitude.
We welcome applications from other solitaries; both individuals and groups, that are in communion with us. Presently the Congregation has two communities in membership, the Holy Cross Benedictines of Adoration and the Franciscan Hermits of Sts Francis and Clare, as well as one Carthusian hermit.
There are moments when the silence of God culminates in his creatures. In the solitude of a retreat, we are renewed by intimate meeting with Christ.
Brother Roger of Taizé, The Rule of Taizé
Brother Roger of Taizé, The Rule of Taizé