The Society of Saint Edmund at Douai Abbey (SSEDA) seeks to support the works and apostolate of the monastic community at Douai Abbey. The Douai community has its home at Upper Woolhampton, at the centre of which is the abbey church. Here the liturgy of the hours and daily Mass are celebrated with a dignity informed by our Benedictine tradition.
Yet the monastic community has served beyond is cloister walls since its foundation in 1615, principally on the English mission, in an essentially parochial pastoral ministry. Despite the closure of its school in 1999, the monks still have a role in education of both young people and adults, in various ways both on site at Douai, and beyond.
The monks of Douai seek to expand their service of the Church and their witness to Christ, by re-envisioning current works and forging new paths. The abbey church, with its ministry of liturgical worship and praise of God, and of welcome to all who come here, is at the centre of our vision for the future. Other opportunities have and will present themselves, such as the publishing work of Weldon Press.
SSEDA invites friends and supporters of Douai Abbey and its mission to collaborate in the future of Douai Abbey and its mission by becoming members of SSEDA, which operates under the Douai Abbey charitable trust (registered no. 236962). Membership is by regular financial support. There are three principal tiers of membership, each of which carries its ownlvel of engagement with the monastic community:
• Companions: who commit to an annual donation of £1000 for five years.
• Fellows: who commit to an annual donation of £2500 for five years.
• Guardians: who commit to an annual donation of £5000 for five years.
Those who contribute an amount below £1000 will be considered Associates of the Society. Those who wish to contribute by leaving a legacy will be recognised at Guardian level. Members who are taxpayers are invited to Gift Aid their donations.
All members will be invited to a Members' Tea with the monastic community, the next to be held in July 2025.
Members can direct their annual donations to one of four funds:
• SSEDA Unrestricted Fund (for the general work of the monastery as its trustees may determine).
• SSEDA Church & Liturgy Fund (for maintaining and developing the abbey church and the monastic liturgy celebrated there).
• SSEDA Library & Archives Fund (for the maintenance and development of Douai Abbey’s modern library and extensive archive facilities).
• SSEDA Formation Fund (for the training of monks and priests of Douai Abbey).
One of our Guardians has undertaken to fund an Organ Scholar for Douai Abbey from 2025.
For more information, you are warmly invited to get in touch with SSEDA using the form below.