Corona Virus

Dom Brendan Thomas • March 18, 2020

Following the instruction from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales there will be no public acts of worship in the Abbey Church from the evening of Friday 20th March until further notice, because of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

We will certainly miss seeing each other and praying together. The Belmont Community will, however, continue to celebrate Mass and pray the Divine Office at the usual times.  Even as we have to close our doors we will carry on praying for the fearful and the anxious, the sick and the dying, for our doctors, nurses and volunteers. 

Please continue to join with us spiritually in our prayer in your own homes as we sanctify the day with the Liturgy of the Hours. And share in the Sacrifice of Christ at Mass please join us in spiritual communion in the Body of Christ.We can carry on praying even if confined to our homes or our monastic cells. 

Our Abbey Church will remain open for prayer during the day, and we hope you find solace and strength there. 

Our last public act of worship will be the first Vespers of the feast of St Benedict who inspires us to follow Christ in the monastic life. May he pray for us all, and St Michael and all Angels, the Abbey's patrons, intercede for us that we may be delivered from all evil. 

We pray for you at this dark and threatening moment that you may keep safe and well. Pray for us too that we may stay united in the love of Christ. 

Abbot Paul and the Belmont Community

The Abbey Church will normally remain open for prayer:
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm.
Sundays from 11.00am to 5.30pm.

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • November 2, 2026
On the Commemoration of All Souls, Abbot Brendan reflects on the experience of death within a monastic community, the meaning of Purgatory, and St Benedict’s invitation never to lose hope in the mercy of God.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • November 1, 2026
Homily by Abbot Brendan.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 24, 2026
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 24, 2026
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 11, 2026
Dom Meinrad and Dom Gildas make their solemn profession
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • September 29, 2026
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • September 13, 2026
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • September 4, 2026
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • September 3, 2026
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
By Abbot Brendan Thomas • September 2, 2026
A Peregrine Falcon attract bird-spotters