Welcome
We invite you to draw near to our community and learn something of its soul. Founded in 1848 by the 29 year old vicar of Wantage, William John Butler, it is one of the earliest traditional Church of England Religious Communities. It is dedicated to Mary the Mother of Jesus, the pondering one. Like Mary we want to draw closer to God:
• through our daily five-fold Office and in the Eucharist
• through waiting on God in our personal prayer
• in listening to God in our relationships with our Sisters
• by looking outwards to God’s presence in our guests and neighbours and in the joys and sufferings of contemporary society.
We invite you to visit or come and stay on our Guest Wing for quiet and reflection, to share, as you wish, in our worship in Chapel. We offer spiritual guidance and we host groups for quiet days and retreats.
There may be an opportunity to be with the Community for an extended time as an Alongsider.
NEWS
An extract from our latest news items is shown here, click on the headline to read the full story or visit our news archive on the News page …
EVENTS
Purpose built flats for new teachers
The Community of St Mary the Virgin (CSMV) in Wantage has just opened six new one-bedroom flats, designed to encourage newly qualified teachers to take up posts in Oxfordshire. St Mary’s Lodge, a large late 19th century house on the St Mary’s Convent site has been...
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Easter Joy
The Lord is risen. Alleluia. Thank you to all who sent us Easter greetings and have prayed for us. With loving greetings from all the Sisters and prayers for you. The photo shows our Paschal Candle painted by Sr Phoebe. The butterflies are a symbol of the...
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