Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 17th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 17, 2023
When you read this, I hope to be driving back to Belmont after our Benedictine superiors’ meeting at Ampleforth. It was an excellent meeting in so many ways and well worth the effort and hard work. The hospitality, too, afforded us by the Ampleforth community was second to none and concluded with a delightful supper taken with the community, which we all thoroughly enjoyed. It was also a great joy to meet up with Abbot Nicholas of Downside, who is a Belmont monk and was for many years Prior and Parish Priest of Belmont.
Our Gospel reading from Luke, (Lk 17: 26-37), carries on the theme of yesterday’s reading, the day of the Son of Man, the Second Coming and Judgement. Jesus compares it with Noah’s day, when the flood came and yet most people carried on as though nothing were happening and failed to read the signs of the times and were drowned. He then compares it with Lot’s day, when the same thing happened, and the people of Sodom were submerged in fire and brimstone. Jesus warns us to be alert, to be prepared, and to remember Lot’s wife. She stopped to look back and was turned into a pillar of salt! Vigilance is the word to live by and to focus on God, who alone can and will save us.
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.