Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 11th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 11, 2023
I found yesterday quite tiring, what with celebrating the Conventual Mass at 11am and meeting with Br Mario and his Oblates at 10am. Then, in the afternoon, an old friend came to see me. However, I’ve not got over the Flu or cold I had at Belmont, and I feel knocked out much of the time. The five hour time difference doesn’t help, especially in the evening. The climate is a pleasant 23C and a warm, gentle breeze comes off the ocean: we’re just a quarter of a mile away. Being in the monastery grounds is rather like being in an earthly paradise, what with the amazing collection of birds and flowers. Yesterday was Br Mateo’s turn to cook: all the monks are excellent chefs. They could take part in Masterchef and win!
Our Gospel passage today comes from Like, (Lk 5: 27-26), the healing of the paralytic let down through the roof by his friends. People from all over had come to see and hear Jesus, and they included Pharisees and doctors of the Law. We are told the the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing. Suddenly, a group of men appear carrying on his bed a paralysed man, who they try to bring in and lay before Jesus. Seeing that there is no access, they opt to carry him up onto the roof, where they can make a hole and let him down before Jesus. “Seeing their faith, he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’” The scribes and Pharisees are convinced that he has spoken blasphemy, as God alone can forgive sin. Jesus hears this and asks which is it easier to say, your sins are forgiven you or take up your bed and walk? To prove that he can forgive sin, he says to the man, “Take up your bed and go home.” The man obeys the order given by Jesus and goes home praising God. All who saw what happened, were astounded and filled with awe and praised God, saying, “We have seen amazing things today.” The scribes and Pharisees have been silenced for the moment.
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.
