Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 18th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 18, 2023
As I write this message on Sunday evening before supper, we have just spent an hour in church for Solemn Vespers and Adoration. Everything is celebrated as beautifully as can be and the brethren take great care of every detail. The altar linen, for example, is always spotlessly clean and perfectly ironed and changed everyday, and there is no outside help. Everything is done by the monks. Another example is the meticulous way in which they pack and prepare their panettone’s and other products for delivery. Amazon could learn a lesson from our Peruvian monks. Just before Vespers, I checked in with Air France on my iPad and already have my boarding passes ready for this evening. I hope to arrive back at Belmont late in Tuesday night just in time for the Christmas rush.
Our Gospel today is Matthew’s account of the Annunciation to Joseph, (Mt 1: 18-24), such a beautiful and well known passage. Matthew tells us that, “This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” It can’t have been easy for the couple. They had not lived together and yet Mary was already expecting a child. Did anyone believe her story of the Annunciation and Incarnation? Were there any witnesses? Joseph appears to be unaware of the facts and has made up his mind to divorce her informally in order to “spare her publicity.” But at that very moment the angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, explaining exactly what has happened and telling him what God wants him to do. Joseph is the epitome of charity and obedience.
The angel tells Joseph, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.” Joseph, then, is to be the protector of Mary and Jesus. Into his care are given God made Man and his mother. In many ways, given the precariousness of human existence, God’s plan of salvation is laid on Joseph’s shoulders, just as one day Jesus will carry the cross. Matthew comments that all this took place to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah, “The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us.” When Joseph wakes up, he immediately does what the angel asked of him in his dream. Lord, grant us the obedience and the wisdom of Joseph.
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.
