31 Mar 2026

Downside Abbey welcomed members of the Petre Society to Pontifical Mass on the Solemnity of the Passing of St Benedict (21 March). 

The Petre Society, named after Monsignor Lord Petre (1847-93), is a group of men and women who support the work of the Community at Downside Abbey. Mgr Petre was a great benefactor of St Gregory’s, donating funds to build the south cloister (known as the Petre Cloister) and the Victorian bathing pavilion, known as the Sea of Petre, in the private monastery gardens. Petre was also an educationalist and helped developed the curricula of Downside School, then managed by the monks of St Gregory. 

After Mass, Dr Simon Johnson updated the society, as to developments pertaining to the Basilica, Monastery, Archive and Library, as well as relating part of the Abbey’s forthcoming plans for 2029. Abbot Nicholas gave an after lunch talk on the work of the Community at Belmont Abbey and their hopes for their future. 2029 marks 1500 years since St Benedict established conventual monasticism at Monte Cassino. The Abbey will be working towards events, talks and a series of publications to mark 2029. 

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