Formerly the ancestral home of the Hill family, since 1926 it has been in the ownership of the Redemptorist Congregation of the London Province.
For nearly 50 years Redemptorist students were trained for the priesthood at Hawkstone to serve from the province’s communities in Britain, South Africa and Zimbabwe. After the seminary moved in 1974, it has served the Universal Church as an international pastoral centre for personal and spiritual renewal.
Hawkstone Hall is a beautiful, Grade 1 listed property and together with its extensive gardens and country walks, it offers an ideal setting for personal renewal. It is a tranquil place where those who come have time to rest, to rediscover themselves, to be renewed holistically and to rediscover their love and friendship with Jesus Christ.
Over the past 38 years nearly 6,000 women and men in ministry worldwide, religious, priests and lay people, have participated in the three-month renewal course. It has an international reputation as an excellent renewal program attracting participants working in a whole variety of pastoral situations, often very challenging. They come seeking fresh energy, new understandings, inner healing and the opportunity to rediscover their love and friendship of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. For many the course has been a life-changing experience attested to by their own evaluations, including this by an Australian nun:
“Over the past two years, my time at Hawkstone has continued to nurture, nourish and sustain me through some very challenging and difficult moments. The memories of my group, the community and staff at the hall have become an enduring part of the fabric of my life.”
The wide mix of people, nationalities, cultures and languages is a celebration of the universality of the Church. Throughout the house there is a peaceful atmosphere and a spirit of openness to all who come. The Eucharist is at the heart of each day, with plenty of time for personal prayer and reflection. A full program of lectures and workshops is offered. There is the opportunity for spiritual direction, counselling and complementary therapies.
There are optional full-day excursions on Saturdays to sample the beauty of England and North Wales. There is a break during the mid-point of the course.
On the summer and autumn courses there is the opportunity to join one of the optional pilgrimages: The Holy Land or Scotland and Iona, subject to a minimum number.
Please visit the beautifully illustrated web site www. Hawkstone-hall.com, or contact us directly on hawhhall@aol.com.