As relationships go, a thousand years is quite a long time. Winchester Cathedral’s relationship with Fleury Abbey, for whom we pray every day, began back in the tenth century.
The Abbaye de Fleury, in Benoit-sur-Loire was a celebrated Benedictine monastery, possessing the relics of St Benedict of Nursia, the founder of Western monasticism. When Aethelwold became Bishop of Winchester in the 10th century he found the great St Swithun’s Priory (predecessor to the current cathedral) in sorry need of reform. So, he began change by bringing in monks living in Abingdon, but originally from Fleury, to renew the foundation. Winchester was then established at the centre of religious reform in England and monastic life flourished here until the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII.
This is one of those historic relationships that has shaped the past identity of the cathedral in such a way that still flows into the present. Next month I’m delighted to say that the new Abbot, Matthieu, and two of the brothers from Fleury are coming to visit, giving the 1000-year-old relationship with us a human face.
In the Ubuntu wisdom tradition there is a saying, “I am because we are.” Humans cannot exist in isolation. We depend on connection, community, and caring — simply, we cannot be without each other. Trinity Sunday reminds us that community is at the very heart of God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in whose image we are made.
Each year the Cathedral Community Day enables the cathedral congregation to reflect on its life and mission. This year we thought together about how a warm welcome is a profound matter. Welcome is both human and divine, and can make all the difference in the world. Jesus taught that how we behave towards others is how we behave towards him, ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Mt. 25;35). The ancient Benedictine tradition teaches that we should welcome visitors as we would welcome Christ himself.
This is a precious and significant calling, and one that deserves greater refection. But we can start very easily, with eye contact, a smile and ‘Hello, my name is – ’. And if you happen to see the French monks, in a couple of weeks’ time, please greet them warmly. In a real sense ‘we are because they are’.
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle
Dean of Winchester
