Visit of Archbishop Mark and Blessing of the Grotto
October 20, 2022
On the eve of our patronal feast of St Michael and All Angels, our new Archbishop, Mark O’Toole stayed with us overnight at Belmont and joined us for Vespers.
After Vespers the Community gathered around the newly redecorated grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in the monastery gardens. This was the work of Br Alvidas, assisted by his fellow postulant Br Craig. The grotto had been repainted with a few finishing touches like the stars on the ceiling and flowers painted at the side. Archbishop Mark blessed the grotto.
Afterwards we welcomed the Archbishop to Belmont with a glass of bubbly, and the Prior, Fr Michael spoke for us all in assuring him of our prayers as he leads not one diocese but two, the Archdiocese of Cardiff and the Diocese of Menevia.
Below are some pictures of the occasion.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
