News from the Community

Dom Brendan Thomas • August 1, 2020

It has been a while since I posted news of the Community. 

The most significant thing is to ask your prayers for Fr Alexander, who was unexpectedly taken into hospital and had to have surgery – nothing related to the virus. We were all very concerned about him, but I am pleased to report that he is out of intensive care and making a steady recovery. Please keep him in your prayers. It was only recently, on the feast of St Peter and Paul, that he celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Ordination.

One of the greatest hardships that many are experiencing at this time, is that we cannot visit people in hospital. We have to hold on to the knowledge that they are well cared for. However, we are lucky that Fr Patrick is the Catholic Chaplain to the hospital and is able to see Fr Alexander. He might be in hospital for another couple of weeks, but please God, he will be well enough to return soon.

We have also not been able to see our brethren outside the monastery who are working on our parishes, but they are all keeping safe and well and ministering as they are able. 

Hedley Lodge will remain closed for the time being, but we are very happy that it has been put to good use accommodating the homeless during the crisis. When so much of our ministry is curtailed we can do something good to help. We were pleased to see Mother Davina visit from Colwich, bringing some things that would be useful for the homeless - see the picture below.

We are all certainly practicing our vow of stability at the moment. In some sense we are better prepared for a lockdown than some people, and we cannot complain because we have a good deal of space around us. I was due to be giving some retreats and workshops to our fellow Benedictines and Cistercians in Australia at this time. It was not to be! 

Perhaps it was some compensation to finally have a day out after 3 months, and take our postulant and juniors out for a day trip to the Gower for some sea air.  I took some photographs of the scenery. We have some of the best beaches in the world, but it is many years since I had been there. Perhaps this is a time for all of us to see again and enjoy what is beautiful around us.

Stay safe and well,

Fr Brendan

Parish Masses


Will things ever return to normal? It all seems to be going on for a very long time and it is so sad to feel cut off even from our neighbours because of this social distancing. 


At least the Parish Masses have started again, although we cannot share our Community liturgy at the moment because of the restrictions. 


Abbot Paul, who is the parish priest, together with Br Augustine, have been busy turning the church around to be able to accommodate more people with the distancing required. Rather than use the main altar, the Memorial Altar is being used for the Masses. 


A lot of work has gone in to ensure that we follow the measures correctly to keep everyone safe and well. A number of the parish have volunteered as stewards


It was good to welcome almost a hundred

people to Mass last weekend and around forty

between the two weekday Masses. 

Update from Br Dunstan, our Beekeeper

It is about three years now since the first honey bees arrived here at Belmont. Progress has been slow, but now the Abbey has two colonies of bees. One starting from a low number coming out of winter, is building up nicely, they look healthy and should provide a little excess honey that I can extract later in the summer. The second hive, sadly, is struggling and it will do well to survive the year. I have put a third hive out which is empty ready to do an artificial swarm, (in order to prevent an actual swarm) or to house a swarm if one comes this way.

I would like to thank all those who have made gifts to the apiary. We were graciously given some new hives last year which are ready to expand the apiary as I grow in experience and learn to work with the bees and not against them.

Sometimes I come across references to bees in my reading. Here is one from the Path of Perfection by St Teresa of Avila, chapter 18.

“If we cultivate the habit, (prayer of recollection) make the necessary effort and practice the exercises for several days, the benefits will reveal themselves, and when we begin to pray we shall realise that the bees are coming to the hive and entering it to make the honey, and all without any effort of ours.”

May Almighty God Creator of Heaven and Earth bless the bees and bless our benefactors with the sweetness of contemplation after the stings of compunction and the hard work of foraging in meditation, and may He be praised in all his creatures now and forever. Amen.

If I Can, You Can! - The Writing of an Icon

November 26, 2025
Charlotte Carver writes about her experience of writing attending one of Fr Alex's Icon workshops.

Fr James' Anniversary of Ordination

November 24, 2025
Many friends came together to celebrate with Fr James his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood - his Silver Jubilee had fallen during covid.

Pope Leo visits the Benedictine Headquarters

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • November 18, 2025
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide

Latin American Monastic Meeting

November 15, 2025
XIII Latin American Monastic Meeting (EMLA)

Icon Workshops 2026

November 11, 2025
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin

Monastic Experience Weekend

November 11, 2025
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.

Healing Prayer Service

November 11, 2025
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.

Fr Michael Casey OCSO: The Middle Coming

By Abbot Paul • November 8, 2025
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.

Advent Retreat: Waiting in Joyful Hope

November 8, 2025
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse

Dom Stephen Holdsworth RIP - Funeral Homily

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • November 5, 2025
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.