Pilgrimage People in Association with The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge
Women in the Bible – Study Retreat
14th – 18th May 2025
Buckfast Abbey, Devon
Join us on a Study Retreat where we will learn about the Women of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments, led by Dr Rosalie Moloney and Dr Sean Ryan, of the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge.
We will study a selection of women characters and discover how the different ways they are interpreted may inform our own understanding. Based at the beautiful Buckfast Abbey in Devon there will be opportunities to join Mass and liturgical services and enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the gardens and grounds.
Dr Sean Ryan is the Vice Principal and Acting Director of Studies at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge. He was a Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies, and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Heythrop College, University of London. Sean’s specialism is New Testament studies, but he teaches and studies anything biblical related, including prophetic and apocalyptic literature, the Gospels and Pauline epistles, as well as patristic and medieval reception of Scripture.
Dr Rosalie Moloney is a visiting lecturer at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology. The theme of many of her courses has been Women in the Old Testament. Her Cambridge PhD dissertation was on Tamar in the Book of Genesis. Rosalie also lectures on biblical topics in her native Ireland. She is particularly interested in encouraging people to read the Bible and in making the study of the Bible accessible and enjoyable.
This is a residential retreat. For those living locally or wishing to stay off site, it is possible to attend each day for lectures only.
Wednesday, 14th May 2025
Arrive independently at Buckfast Abbey, Devon.
4pm – Welcome drink and Introductory Talk (Dr Rosalie Moloney & Dr Sean Ryan)
An introduction to the retreat as a whole. Why study “Women in the Bible”? What are some of the different ways that women characters can be interpreted (e.g., from historical, literary and artistic perspectives, as well as ethical models to be imitated or avoided as examples of Christian living).
5.00pm Sung Mass
6.30pm Vespers
Dinner
Overnight accommodation
Thursday, 15th May 2025
7.45am Lauds
Breakfast
9.30am – Women in the Gospel of John (Dr Sean Ryan)
Considering the mother of Jesus, the Samaritan woman, Martha and Mary of Bethany, and Mary Magdalene.
11.00am Coffee break
11.30am Women of Exodus (Dr Rosalie Moloney)
Shiphrah and Puah; Moses’ mother; Pharoah’s daughter; Miriam.
Lunch
3.30pm Women in the Synoptic Gospels (Dr Sean Ryan)
Considering Elizabeth & Mary; Anna the prophet; the Syrophoenician woman and her daughter; Joanna and other women disciples from Galilee.
5.00pm Sung Mass
6.30pm Vespers
Dinner
Overnight accommodation
Friday, 16th May 2025
7.45am Lauds
Breakfast
9.30am Nameless Women of the Old Testament (Dr Rosalie Moloney)
Prevalence of nameless women in the Bible; some examples: Lot’s wife, Potiphar’s wife, and the daughters of Zelophehad.
11.00am Coffee break
11.30am Women in the Letters of St Paul / Acts of the Apostles (Dr Sean Ryan)
Considering Priscilla, Lydia and Phoebe, and passages that refer to the ‘silencing’ of women.
Lunch
3.30pm Female images of God in the Old Testament (Dr Rosalie Moloney)
The Magnificat (Dr Sean Ryan)
5.00pm Sung Mass
6.30pm Vespers
Dinner
Overnight Accommodation
Saturday, 17th May 2025
7.45am Lauds
Breakfast
9.30am Jesus’ Ancestresses (Dr Rosalie Moloney)
Old Testament women named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus.
Part 1 – Tamar and Rahab.
11.00am Coffee break
11.30am Women in the Apocalypse (Dr Sean Ryan)
Considering the Woman clothed with the Sun, the New Jerusalem, and Jezebel.
Lunch
3.30pm Jesus’ Ancestresses (Dr Rosalie Moloney)
Part 2 – Ruth and Bathsheba.
5.00pm Sung Mass
6.30pm Vespers
Dinner
Overnight accommodation
Sunday, 18th May 2025
7.45am Lauds
Breakfast
9.30am Conclusion
Reflection on what has been learnt. What new insights have been gained into the presence and significance of women in the Bible? How might this inform our own lives and faith and the way we read the Bible in the future?
11.00am Sunday Mass
Check out
End of Retreat
Residential Price: £760 per person sharing a twin/double room on a full-board basis. Single rooms are available at a supplement of £165.
Non Residential Price: £320 pp which includes lunch.
Deposit of £150pp and completed booking form required by 14.6.24. Balance and any single supplement due by 5.3.25.
For further details please write to info@pilgrimagepeople.org