Words on the Word

Erik Varden is a monk and bishop, born in Norway in 1974. In 2002, after ten years at the University of Cambridge, he joined Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Charnwood Forest. Pope Francis named him bishop of Trondheim in 2019.

Please find below a selection of homilies:

Conversation with Maggie Fergusson
Conversation with Maggie Fergusson
This interview appeared in the 7 June print issue of The Tablet. You can read it as a PDF here. 
Nearly seven years ago now, new to The Tablet, I was sent to the Cistercian monastery of Mount St Bernard in Read More
Desert Fathers 23
Desert Fathers 23
You can find this episode in video format here – a dedicated page – and pick it up in audio wherever you listen to podcasts. On YouTube, the full range of episodes can be found here. 
Another brother put a question Read More
Where’s the Bar? Listening to Fr Michael Suarez’s keynote address at UVA’s Final Exercises a couple of weeks ago, a clarion call for academic freedom and a reflection on the university’s role in society, I was struck by his reference to one of Read More
Homilettes
Homilettes
During the ecumenical convention held in Silkeborg for a triduum starting on Ascension Thursday, I was asked to preside and preach at vespers in the church of Our Lady on Friday and Saturday.
Enda han var Sønn, lærte Jesus Kristus lydighet Read More
Visitation
Visitation
Zephaniah 3.14-18: Zion, have no fear, let not your hand fall limp!
Luke 1.39-56: The child in my womb leapt for joy.
There’s a jubilation to Mary’s visitation of Elizabeth.
Mary ‘hurried’ across the mountain quite as Abraham ‘hurried’ when he, at noon Read More
Reading Görres In a post about Görres you wrote, “Hers is a crucial voice for the present moment.” What do you find “crucial” about Görres’ voice for Catholics today?
I like the fact that she is analytical, utterly unsentimental, yet acutely sensitive. A learned, Read More
Desert Fathers 22
Desert Fathers 22
You can find this episode in video format here – a dedicated page – and pick it up in audio wherever you listen to podcasts. On YouTube, the full range of episodes can be found here. 
It was said about Abba Read More
6. Sunday of Easter
6. Sunday of Easter
Acts 15.1-29: Some men came down from Judea and taught.
Revelation 21.10-23: The angel showed me the holy city, Jerusalem.
John 14.23-29: The Spirit will remind you of all I have said.
Dear confirmandi!
In the sacrament of confirmation you receive ‘the seal of Read More