Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 16th June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 15, 2023
What a wonderfully uplifting occasion was last night’s celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, an ideal way to keep the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In his homily to the young people being confirmed, Archbishop Mark spoke of another young person, Blessed Carlo Acutis, the teenager born in London of Italian parents, now buried in Assisi, who is on the road to sainthood. All were moved by the story of his life and the example of his powerful intercession.
Today we keep the great feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, an ancient devotion that focusses on the love and compassion of God made manifest in Christ Jesus our Lord throughout his life on earth, especially on the cross and as he walks with us in our lives today. The Gospel chosen for the feast comes from Matthew, (Mt 11: 25-30), where he invites his disciples to exchange their heavy burden with his own which is easy and light. In fact, Jesus is offering to take the weight of our sins on his shoulders and offer us in return the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation with God and our neighbour. These are his 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.”
Pope Francis says of the Sacred Heart, “Do not be afraid to present to him all the intentions of our suffering humanity, its fears, its miseries. May this Heart, full of love for men, give everyone hope and trust. I invite you to discover the riches that are hidden in the Heart of Jesus, to learn to love your neighbour. We must realize that we are never before God only as individuals, but also as members of the Church and children of the one human family. This should also become visible in the way we pray for one another.” The devotion to the heart of Jesus has Christ’s unconditional love at its centre, exemplified in the blood and water which poured forth from Christ’s heart in his sacrifice on the cross.
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.
