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.
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.
