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.
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.
