Benedictine Sisters launch charitable bond

Digital Nuns

Two trailblazing Benedictine nuns are breaking new ground with the launch of a charitable bond which aims to generate £2million to purchase a permanent home for the monastery to grow and expand its charitable outreach work.

For seven years the monastery has been based in rented accommodation in Oxfordshire, but with a solid base from which to grow and a fast growing internet following, Dame Catherine and Dame Lucy now hope to expand their charitable activities. The new monastery will allow them to provide much needed retreat and guest facilities for visitors, especially women who lead stressful and time poor lives, with whom they have a particular affinity.

The non transferable bond is being issued by Holy Trinity Monastery and funds raised will be applied to the purchase of a property for use by the monastery. The nuns plan to continue fundraising over the next ten years to enable them to repay the bond. The investment term is 5 or 10 years. The amount of interest payable will depend on the sum invested in the bond. Interest will be compounded and paid at the expiration of the fixed term as follows:

The minimum investment is £1,000 making it an accessible way for anyone who can identify with the aims of the monastery, religious or otherwise, to provide much needed financial support without providing the money as a lifelong donation.


According to D. Catherine Wybourne, Prioress of Holy Trinity Monastery: “We recognise that whilst most of us would like to do more to support charitable work, donating isn’t always a realistic option. By investing in the bond, people will be allowing the Monastery to use the money they would typically put aside for savings and investments, to further our good work.”

This isn’t the first example of the nuns’ enterprising and modern day way of thinking. They have a significant online presence which is an important part of their spiritual outreach. Their website has won awards for their innovative use of online media. They have understood the absolute importance of the digital age and have Tweeted and blogged their way to a community of committed supporters. Online retreats and an iPhone app are just some of the ideas in development. Indeed one of their supporters credits the nuns with having transformed the way in which contemplative communities engage with others through their pioneering work in blogs, podcasts, video and webcasting.

For more information please visit:  www.benedictinenuns.org.uk