Message of Abbot Paul - Friday 8th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 7, 2023
Today we keep the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, the ancient belief of the Church that Mary was conceived without sin, pure and spotless, as the Advent carols sing, because she was conceived and born to be the Mother of God, the Theotokos, she who conceived the Word Incarnate and shared with him her lifeblood, thereby giving him the gift of human life.
You might be wondering if l am writing this message on an airplane, but I’m not, in fact, I’m in a hotel in Amsterdam! Due to extreme weather conditions, the flight from Birmingham was over four hours late, so missing the connection to Lima. KLM kindly looked after me in every possible way and rebooked me to fly to Lima on Friday. I must say, it’s been a very tiring day and I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Normal service will resume as soon as possible.
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
Nothing that is precious and dear to God is simply discarded: homily by Abbot Brendan.
