Message of Abbot Paul - All Souls - 2nd November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 1, 2023
Yesterday was a day of great joy and thanksgiving for the Belmont Community as we celebrated the Frist Profession of our two novices, Br Meinrad Earley and Br Gildas Dudonis. Br Meinrad is from Liverpool, while Br Gildas is from Lithuania. As I was the celebrant of the Mass, I was unable to take a photograph for the website, so I don’t have one to share with you. I ask you to join with me in praying for their perseverance in the monastic life, that in three years’ time they will take their Solemn Vows and commit themselves for life as monks of Belmont Abbey.
Today we celebrate All Souls Day, praying especially for the dead. Indeed, the month of November is set apart for us to pray for the faithful departed and all the dead who need our prayers. One of the Gospel choices for today comes from Matthew (Mt 11: 25-30) and ends with the words, “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.” What could be sweeter to our ears than the voice of Jesus who invites us to come to him? Who doesn’t work hard, who isn’t overburdened at the present moment? I think of all those worried for their own lives and the lives of their loved ones, worried for the future and for their children, especially in Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen, Gaza, Palestine and Israel. In the midst of war and turmoil, there is Jesus who gives us rest, Jesus who is our peace. He asks us to love one another as he has loved us. He offers to help us carry our burdens, for his yoke is easy and his burden light. As we pray this month for our beloved dead, let us also pray for ourselves, who were born to die, not for ever but to this world only. After all, Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Let us accept his invitation each day and allow him to walk with us as our friend and companion on the road that leads to eternal life. Amen.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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)
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.
