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.

Pope Francis 1936-2025

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 24, 2025
New Title

The Passing of Pope Francis

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 21, 2025
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)

Easter Visit of the Apostolic Nuncio

By Abbot Paul • April 21, 2025
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.

Easter Sunday Morning

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 20, 2025
"He is not here, for he is risen." Homily by Abbot Brendan

Easter Vigil

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 20, 2025
"This is the night." Homily by Abbot Brendan

Good Friday

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan

Maundy Thursday

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan

Palm Sunday

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • April 13, 2025
The Passion According to St Luke: Homily by Abbot Brendan

Feast of St Benedict

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • March 21, 2025
Abbot Brendan's homily for the Passing, the "Transitus" of St Benedict

A New Chapter in the Life of Belmont

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • March 12, 2025
We look forward to welcoming the Community of St Gregory's
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