Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 2nd June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 1, 2023
You might be wondering how I spent my first day in Greece. Apart from celebrating Mass around midday, praying, eating and chatting, I did absolutely nothing at all, I rested and slept most of the day and I’m feeling so much better for it. A good rest was long overdue. The weather is milder than in the U.K. and we had rain overnight. It’s four long years since I was in Greece and it’s so good to be back. I love the simplicity of Greek food, so basic, fresh and nourishing and the relaxed Greek times for eating, lunch at 4pm and supper at 10 or even later. I’m writing this at 11.30pm and am about to enjoy a plate of fresh fruit! It reminds me of my student days, happy carefree days, when life lay before us as a great adventure. Now my friends and I are touching 80, one has died, another is only partly present for Alzheimer’s, and we’re all becoming old crocks or have already made the grade. Yet, it’s still wonderful being together as we look forward to heaven and hope for an eternity together in God’s presence. The Greeks have great confidence in the loving mercy and generosity of God. The Church calendar is a week behind us and this coming Sunday we will celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost. In Greece the Catholic Church celebrates the Liturgical Year together with the Orthodox.
I’ll leave it there for for the time being and attach a few photographs taken in the garden. More tomorrow.
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.
