Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 6th May
Abbot Paul • May 6, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Friday, 6th May 2022
I did warn you yesterday that things might get difficult over the next few days, but I hadn’t imagined that it would happen so soon and in the U.K. Having paid extra for WiFi at a Travelodge near Heathrow, it didn’t work and my iPad refused to accept it as it only provided an insecure connection. Not to worry, I’ll try sending this brief message early in the morning from Heathrow. I particularly enjoyed the drive from Burford along country lanes rather than on the motorway and it took less than an hour and a half.
Our Gospel reading for today, John 6: 52-59, presents us with the conclusion of the discourse on the Bread of Life. His hearers comment on Jesus’ words, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Admittedly, it was an unexpected turn in his discourse, which reminds us of his words over the bread and wine at the Last Supper, “This is my body. This is my blood.” In fact, Jesus replies that if they do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, they will not have life in them, for only those who eat his flesh and drink his blood have eternal life. His words are clear and have no need of explanation, only of acceptance. This is what the Church accepted and believed from the beginning and continues to believe today. This is what we believe the Eucharist to be. He states categorically, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in them.” Tomorrow we will hear the reaction of the crowd and of his disciples too. I wonder how we would have reacted had we been in Capernaum that day. What do you think?
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.
