Love at Llantarnam

Back in the world of real weddings after my last posting - I celebrated my last one of the year earlier today in the beautiful setting of Llantarnam Abbey. In case you haven't heard of, or been to Llantarnam, it's located on the outskirts of Cwmbran near Newport. The site was originally that of a Cistercian monastery in the Middle Ages. Much later a mansion was built there, and this eventually came into the hands of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy, who are the largest women's religious congregation in our diocese. It is the home for their retired sisters, and until a few years ago, also the base for their Sister Provincial (ie boss for the British Isles). Now she lives in Newport, and that part of Llantarnam is a retreat centre called Ty Croeso (House of Welcome). The Abbey is situated in lovely grounds, with trees and meadows, and sheep grazing.

Parish groups etc can hire Ty Croeso for a day, and small groups can even stay there. My priests group has done so on several occasions. Near the Abbey is their cemetery, where not only many sisters, but also some clergy and two of our archbishops are buried.

What a blessed and charming place for a wedding, and the Lord also came up trumps with the weather. So say a prayer for Christina and Russell as they embark on married life.