Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 18th November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 18, 2022
You might remember that, just over a week ago, we kept the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of Rome. Well today we remember the dedication of two other Roman basilicas, that of St Peter in the Vatican and St Paul outside the Walls. Together with St Mary Major and the Lateran, the Church of Christ the Saviour, these four churches are known as Papal Basilicas. Thinking of Saints Peter and Paul, this concept of two major churches in a city, dedicated to these two apostles, was repeated all over Europe as the Christian faith spread over the continent. Look at London, where the cathedral was dedicated to St Paul and the great Benedictine abbey at Westminster to St Peter. Today, then, we pray for all church buildings, whether they are cathedrals or not, large or small, that they will remain sacred spaces where people, often with no faith, can come in contact with the living God.
Interestingly enough, our Gospel passage comes from Luke, (Lk 19: 45-48), and describes the Cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem by Jesus.
“Jesus went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling. ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer. But you have turned it into a robbers’ den.’
He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him, but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.”
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.
