» Today the Douai flock of Jacobs sheep moved on to greener pastures. As the community shrinks and ages, and with the resulting increased burden of work on the active, able-bodied monks that this entails, the work of maintaining the flock was proving too much for Frs Hugh and Oliver, who already have heavy workloads. Dosing, worming, trimming feet and treating scald all require the ready presence of two sets of able hands to effect, which has been increasingly hard to guarantee. So for the sake of the sheep above all, the decision was made to move them on. It is with some sadness we farewell them, as they have proved a popular attraction and a balm to troubled spirits. Below, they glare reproachfully at the shepherd just prior to departure.
» Tomorrow the exhibition of the Wintour vestments comes to its official end, having proved a popular attraction, and an important sideline in recusant history. Next week they will be packed up redy for transport to one last exhibition at Auckland Castle, after which the collection will be again be split between Stonyhurst and Douai.
» Last night Fr Abbot ventured east to celebrate Mass in honour of the English Catholic Martyrs incarcerated at Wisbech Castle from 1535 to 1680. Mass was said in a room on the site of the castle, and he preached on those priests who were imprisoned there after refusing the Oath of Supremacy. The local Anglican minister bravely attended and posted a brief and friendly report of the occasion.