Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 26th May 2023
Abbot Paul • May 25, 2023
Between Wednesday and Thursday, I spent six hours doing an advanced safeguarding course by zoom organised by the RLSS (Religious Life Safeguarding Service). It was an excellently organised course with only nine participants, eight nuns and myself. As always happens, I learnt a great deal and much was clarified. I came away not only with a certificate, but also enthused and empowered to put into practise both in the community and in the parishes we care for, what was suggested and encouraged, to improve our understanding and practise of safeguarding young people and adults at risk. These courses might be tiring, but they are also rewarding in so many ways.
Today the Church keeps the feast of Sr Philip Neri, priest of Rome and founder of the Oratorians, (1515-1595), known as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St Peter. A pastor with a father’s heart and love for the poor, he worked assiduously with a joyful heart to rekindle the Christian faith among those who had lapsed or had no opportunity to learn about the faith into which they had been baptised.
Our Gospel passage for today comes from the last chapter of John, (Jn 21: 15-19), the conversation Jesus had with Peter after his appearance to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, where they were fishing again just as they had been at the beginning. Jesus asks Peter three times, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” to which each time he replies, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus commands him, “Feed my sheep.” The third time Peter appears to get angry and upset, for he replies, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.” We might ask why Jesus asked him three times. Was it to put right the three times Peter denied him on the night of his arrest? Jesus goes on to warn Peter that he too will suffer and die in the same way.
“When you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.”
In these words, he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, “Follow me.”
Like Jesus, Peter will give glory to God by his own passion and death. It’s interesting to see how the Gospel ends as it began, with the invitation to Peter and the disciples to, “Follow me.” At the very beginning, they could not understand the meaning of those words. After all they have been through with Jesus, now they can.
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.