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.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.