A retreat is your chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.
Our Patrons
Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB
We are celebrating the contribution of one of our most active patrons, Abbot Christopher Jamison OSB, who is stepping down from the role at the end of May, after 13 years’ service for the Retreat Association.
Abbot Christopher is a Benedictine monk and currently serves as Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation. He is known for two BBC TV series The Monastery (2005) and The Big Silence (2010).
Abbot Christopher speaking at our 2025 Conference
Through his work with a media production company CTVC, specialising in religious and ethical content, he led a team that created Alone (Together) in 2020 to help people cope with lockdown. His books include Finding Sanctuary (2005) Finding Happiness (2009) and Finding the Language of Grace (2022).
Since first becoming a patron for the Retreat Association in 2013, Abbot Christopher has contributed to the life and work of the charity, both in an advisory role, and also through giving many memorable talks and engaging in lively debates at our Conferences, Summer Events and online gatherings of spiritual direction trainers. At these events, Abbot Christopher has covered subjects as diverse as the Future of Retreats, Benedictine Spirituality and Story Telling. For the lead article in our 2021 Retreats handbook, Abbot Christopher offered readers ways to find hope during the pandemic.
Abbot Christopher speaking at our 2016 Summer Event
We are immensely grateful for all the time, energy, wisdom and inspiration that Abbot Christopher has given to the Retreat Association over the years and wish him all the very best as he begins a sabbatical and a new chapter.
Abbot Christopher with other Retreat Association patrons
Rev Graham Sparkes, Margaret Rizza and Dr Rowan Williams at our 2015 Conference.
