Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 17th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 16, 2023
I began writing this short message for St Patrick’s Day on the Air France flight coming over from Lima to Paris and finished it off in a lounge at Charles De Gaulle Airport, where I sat waiting for the connection to Birmingham, my airport of choice due to its proximity to Belmont. I’d like to offer my prayers and congratulations to Fr Patrick, Hospital chaplain and Parish Priest at Little Malvern, whose 70th birthday it is today. I always admire his devotion, energy and enthusiasm and pray that just a drop will rub off on me! It will seem strange being back at Belmont today. I’ll be collecting Toby from his Lenten retreat this afternoon. He certainly wouldn’t appreciate the heat of Peru. The brethren tell me it’s been an exceptionally hot Summer there. The climate seems to be going crazy the world over.
Today’s Gospel passage is from Luke 10 and recounts the sending forth of the seventy two disciples as missionaries of peace and salvation, preparing the way for Jesus himself. That’s what we all do as Christians. We take Christ’s peace into the world around us and bring others to know Jesus,, the source of salvation. We could all do this with more enthusiasm and conviction, following the example of St Patrick.
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.
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
