Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 21st October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 20, 2022
A number of readers have written in to ask why I make no reference to the political and economic turmoil the United Kingdom is going through at the moment. I am certainly well aware of what’s going on and am following every twist and turn of the tragicomedy the government has landed us in. We could see this coming even before Covid took over our lives almost three years’ ago, although the situation has been seriously aggravated by Putin’s grotesque war against Ukraine. Russia, after all, was one of the signatories and guarantors of Ukrainian independence and territorial integrity. What could I add to the present debate that would lend light to the discussions? I prefer to pray constantly for all those concerned, especially those who are suffering on account of inflation and the enormous price hikes, and are worried about the coming winter and their ability to keep warm and feed their families. If the situation is bad in these isles, then it is much worse in poorer countries. There is so much to pray for.
By the way, I was at Abergavenny yesterday for the Thanksgiving Mass for the presence and work of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, who have now left. At one time they had 14 convents in Wales and their work in education was especially valued by both Catholics and Protestants, long before Ecumenism existed. They were at Abergavenny from 1906 to 2021. My photograph shows Fr Matthew and Sr Anne, Provincial, cutting the cake at the reception afterwards.
Our Gospel passage today continues our reading of Luke, (Lk 12: 54-59), which sees Jesus addressing the crowds rather than his disciples. He talks to them about interpreting the signs of the times. “When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” People have a pretty shrewd idea of what the weather’s going to be like by simply looking at the sky. How come they cannot see what’s happening around them, both in the country and in the wider world. What do we make of the present moment? How do we read and understand the times in which we live? He goes on to ask an important question: why can we often not judge for ourselves what is right? In every situation, Jesus asks us to make the right decision for ourselves, based on our conscience that has been informed by the Scriptures, the word of God and his own teaching, which for us includes the teaching of the Church. Jesus has given us the wisdom to do what is right. May we always ask him to guide us as we journey through life.
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.