Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 18th July
Abbot Paul • July 18, 2022
Yesterday was a free day as far as Chapter is concerned, so I literally took the day off my agenda. After a cooked breakfast, useful as I wasn’t planning on having lunch, and Mass with the small congregation at nearby Ashburton, a beautiful town now on my list for a future visit next time I’m here, I set off with one of the other participants at Chapter on a church crawl, planning to end up at Exeter Cathedral. First of all, we made for the church of St Paul de Leon at Staverton, a large church with a magnificent rood screen and loft, dedicated to this strange Welsh saint and disciple of St Illtud. We then made for the village of Torbryan, not at all easy to find, and the magnificent church, now closed for worship, dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. It is exceptionally well cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust and has a collection of fascination visual aids to assist visitors enhance their experience. Sadly, there were very few names in the visitors book. The rood screen is spectacular with the most exquisite painted panels depicting saints, including the Coronation of Our Lady. We then moved on to the small town of Ipplepen and the affluent and well-kept church of St Andrew, which also possesses a fine rood screen, loft and pulpit. From there we drove on to Exeter and its famous cathedral, that I had never previously visited. At first sight, it looks like a miniature Metz or Milan, but one you step inside and pay your £7.50 entrance fee, you suddenly realise how vast and light it is and very beautiful. Although I love these churches, I must confess to feeling a deep sadness that they are no longer Catholic and regret the causes and effects of the English Reformation. So as not to confuse you, each day I will post a few photographs of just one church, starting with Staverton today.
Our Gospel reading comes from Matthew, (Mt 12: 38-42), when the scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign. “Master, we should like to see a sign from you.” They call him Master or Rabbi, so show a certain respect and recognition of his learning and ability to teach. Jesus, however, doesn’t take kindly to their request. He replies, “It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign.” Although he says he will only give them one sign, that of Jonah, in fact he also gives them a second, that of the Queen of Sheba. Jonah preached repentance at Nineveh and everyone, even the beasts, repented. The Queen came from Sheba to witness the wisdom of Solomon and she did not return home disappointed. Surely Jesus is greater than Jonah, and is he not also greater than Solomon too? The question is, do we rate the teachers and leaders of this age as more important and greater than Jesus? I wonder!
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.
