Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 22nd July
Abbot Paul • July 22, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 22nd July 2022
I fear that by the time I got back to Belmont last night just in time to take a wedding practice for today, went to Compline and then spoke with some of the brethren who needed to speak, I had practically run out of time in order to write this message, and that without having supper. So, for the first time since mid-March 2020, I have not written a message for tomorrow. However, it is the feast of that great and wonderful woman, St Mary Magdalene, the Apostle of the Apostles, she who was the very first to see and speak with the Risen Christ that first Easter Sunday. Forgive me, if I simply share with you the Gospel of the feast, which speaks for itself and ask her to pray for each one of you. May her prayers for us make an enormous difference to our lives and encourage us all to bear witness, as she did, to the Risen Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Our Gospel comes from John, (Jn 20: 1-2; 11-19).
“It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’ Meanwhile Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.”
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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.
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