Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw facts for kids
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance |
| Established | 1946 |
| Disestablished | extant |
| Mother house | Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Roscrea |
| Diocese | Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh |
| Site | |
| Coordinates | 55°55′17″N 2°39′07″W / 55.9213°N 2.6519°W |
Nunraw Abbey, also known as Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, is a special place. It is a working Trappist monastery. Trappist monks are a type of Cistercian monk. They live a quiet life of prayer and work.
This abbey was the first Cistercian monastery built in Scotland since the Scottish Reformation. The Scottish Reformation was a big change in religion in Scotland long ago. Monks from Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Roscrea in Ireland started Nunraw Abbey in 1946. It became a full abbey in 1948.
The abbey is located at the bottom of the Lammermuir Hills. This is in the southern part of East Lothian. The land where the abbey stands is called White Castle. This name comes from an old fort that used to be there.
Contents
The Story of Nunraw Abbey
How Nunraw Got Its Name
Long ago, the land where Nunraw Abbey now stands belonged to Cistercian Nuns. These nuns were from the Abbey of St Mary, Haddington. The area where they lived became known as Nunraw. This name means 'Nun's Row'.
The Nunnery of Haddington was started by a lady named Ada de Warenne. She was the Countess of Huntingdon. It was founded a long time ago. Nunraw was likely a "grange" of that nunnery. A grange was like a farm or an outpost that supported the main monastery.
Building the Modern Abbey
The current monastery buildings were constructed between 1952 and 1970. An architect named Peter Rice Whiston designed them. The abbey church was planned but never fully built.
These buildings are very important. They are listed as a "Category A listed" site. This means they are a rare example of a new monastery built in Britain in the 20th century.
Leaders of Nunraw Abbey
What is a Lord Abbot?
A Lord Abbot is the head of a monastery. They are like the leader of the monks. Nunraw Abbey has had several important leaders since it began.
List of Abbots
Here are the Lord Abbots who have led Nunraw Abbey:
- Father Michael Sherry, O.C.S.O. He was the leader from 1946 to 1948. He was the Prior, which is a leader, but not yet the Abbot.
- Dom Columban Mulcahy, O.C.S.O. He was the first Lord Abbot from 1948 to 1969.
- Dom Donald McGlynn, O.C.S.O. He was the Lord Abbot from 1969 to 2003.
- Dom Raymond Jaconelli, O.C.S.O. He was the Lord Abbot from 2003 to 2009.
- Dom Mark Caira, O.C.S.O. He has been the Lord Abbot since 2009.
See also
- List of monastic houses in Scotland
- Catholic Church in Scotland
- White Castle, East Lothian
- Garvald
- List of places in East Lothian
