Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 20th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 19, 2023
Yesterday, we were able to conclude the canonical visitation at Prinknash and I returned to Belmont, where there was a lot to do just to catch up with the few days I was away. This time Toby remained at Belmont and was admirably looked after by Fr Alex. As I was unable to follow the funeral in Athens on Monday of the late King Constantine, a man I greatly admired ever since I was a student at the University of Thessaloniki in 1967 and 1968, I have started watching it on YouTube, where the entire service at Athens cathedral can be seen. It’s a pity that a translation of the liturgical texts is not provided, as that would be a great help for those who do not understand Greek. It’s such an uplifting service in the Byzantine Rite, full of praise for the Holy Trinity and of thanksgiving for the gift life through the resurrection of Jesus.
​Today’s Gospel passage from Mark, (Mk 3: 13-19), recounts the appointment of the twelve to be companions of Jesus. That’s the word Mark uses, neither apostles nor disciples, but companions, those who share everything with Jesus, symbolised by the food they eat and the bread they break. This is how Mark tells his story. “Jesus went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils. And so he appointed the Twelve: Simon to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or ‘Sons of Thunder’; then Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the man who was to betray him.” I love the understated way in which Mark recounts the events. May we, like the twelve, although Judas betrayed him, be faithful companions of Jesus and may he bless us to do his work in the world today.
Some Pictures from Prinknash Abbey
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
