Nestled within a massed array of administrative buildings and banks in the City of London is the so-called “new monastic” church of St Mary Aldermary. Early before work, instead of going to the gym or shuffling into Pret A Manger, a growing number of City employees enjoy early silent prayer, intercessions and Taizé chants. A CD player simulates the calm of monasteries – piercing birdsong, slow-tolling church bells, the rustling of cattle.
Such is an example of “new monasticism”, a “fresh expressions” movement in the Church of England. A few churches in London have been turned over to the new monastics, where they adopt an unorthodox ministry of cultivating contemplative prayer and Benedictine spirituality – for example, praying at the start of the working day, thanking God and expressing penance as the working day ends – within parish work.
