Today I had the amazing opportunity to visit one of the best preserved medieval monasteries in Wales: Valle Crucis Abbey located in Llangollen. I will not try to instruct you on how to pronounce ‘Llangollen’ except to say that the accent is on the second syllable and the ‘double L’ in Welsh is pronounced as a soft ‘F’ sound, except at the beginning of a word where it is a sound made at the back of the throat. So, just try it . . . Llangollen.
In any case, this abbey was founded in 1201, although much of the building was not completed until the 14th century. The monastery was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537 with the Act of Dissolution – although, by then, there were few monks left.
The day was lovely for our visit – in the upper 20’s (celsius) or 80’s (fahrenheit). The name of the monastery means ‘valley of the cross’ and refers to a stone cross erected near this location. The monks were Cistercians and followed the rule of Benedict. You can read more about the abbey by following the following link: Valle Crucis
As we walked through the grounds, I found myself wondering – and marveling – at the mystery of faith. Of course, if we are honest, the monks weren’t only about faith and good deeds and prayer. They were human and they participated in their share of intrigue. Still, somehow, despite human limitations – someone among them conceived of this structure and built it!
And the lay brothers (who, honestly, did the manual labor that enabled the monks to do the praying) worked the land and made a living for the community. And I am confident that many many faithful and holy monks spent their days in prayer and austere living, believing it could make a difference – for themselves, their community and the world. It was known to be good for the local economy to have a monastery among them – and some of that was economic but some of it was the presence of holiness.
It was absolutely lovely there today – but I am constantly told this weather is very unusual. Wales has more rain and clouds and wind than lovely sunny days like today. And those men lived in that place – amid drafts and rain and wind and some days like today – to give honor to God and to sacrifice themselves to make their corner of the world a better place. The fish ponds of the abbey still exist.
The church itself rises in a splendor that is still evident.
They have identified the monk’s dormitory, their dining room – and even the latrine. And, perhaps most amazing was the chapter room below where they gathered each day and heard a chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict read, confessed their faults and received their ‘punishments’ from the abbot.
After taking our time, wandering the grounds, marveling and, yes, pondering and praying, we stopped for a cappuccino at a small coffee shop near the entrance. The area around the monastery is now a campground. People bring their campers and leave them as a ‘getaway’ destination and other pitch tents and set up camp for a period of time. One woman talked for a bit with us. She was was from another part of Wales and had never been to Valle Crucis before. But she found that she loved the peacefulness of the place. She said she and her husband decided to look into renting some space there. I observed that, perhaps, the monks knew what they were doing when they chose that place. She smiled. Yes, she said, I think that may be true! This is a good place!
Maybe, just maybe, the prayers of the monks continue to bless that space. Which makes you think that our prayers and deeds of love will bless others long after we are gone too. Good to know, don’t you think?
Gladstone and Beyond 