A GROUP of Chilean monks are preparing to make the journey to join the monastic community at Ampleforth Abbey.

Members of the Manquehue Apostolic Movement will arrive at the the Ampleforth campus in January where they will spend two years of service in the schools rather than the usual one-term visits which have been taking place since 2004.

The Manquehue Movement of the Chilean visitors was inspired by the Benedictine spirit at Ampleforth, according to Fr Cuthbert Madden OSB, the Abbot of Ampleforth.

Fr Madden said the stay would provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations between the movement and Ampleforth.

David Lambon, headteacher at Ampleforth College, said he is looking forward to welcoming the visitors.

He said: "In the past we have seen the tremendous benefit of the work they have done with students in just one term, helping them to reflect on their faith and begin to share that faith with others, something which is a great challenge in our secularised society.

"We hope that this initiative will be of service not just to Ampleforth, but to the wider church in both Chile and the United Kingdom."

During their stay the monks will work with students at both Ampleforth College and St Martin's Ampleforth.