Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 31st July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 31, 2023
One of the main reasons for coming over to my cousin’s was to have a peaceful weekend, sleep, rest and relaxation. Add to that meeting up again with old friends and enjoying fantastic food, the weekend has been perfect. It was good to go to Mass in a Catholic country, all so straightforward and matter of fact. Italians are so natural when it comes to religion. It was great seeing old friends at Mass and being able to chat afterwards. Then I went with my cousin to her niece’s for lunch at her beautiful new villa near the lake. I’ve known Alessandra since she was a newborn baby and now she and her husband are the proud parents of a handsome, intelligent and self-disciplined son, Andrea, who speaks English better than he speaks Italian, better in fact than I do. At present, he’s working on his thesis. We had a wonderful al fresco lunch, course after course, all cold as it was rather hot today, other than in the shady spot where we sat around the family table. A perfect day!
This afternoon I will be returning to the U.K., flying with KLM from Milan Linate to Birmingham via Amsterdam. Then I’ll drive back to Belmont, just like the old days when I did that journey so often. Our Gospel passage today sees us continuing to read more Parables of the Kingdom from Matthew, (Mt 13: 31-35). We’ve read so many of these parables recently, that I feel sure that I’ve already commented on them several times in recent weeks. Each parable, for short and simple as it might be, is a work of art. The first is of the mustard seed, but a gardener or a farmer has to sow the seed in order for it to grow. It won’t grow if it remains in his shed or in his pocket. He has to prepare the soil and sow it, and then take care of it, as the plant grows into a shrub that will bear fruit. Likewise the yeast that a housewife or a baker adds to three measures of flour. If she leaves it on the shelf or forgets to add it, then the dough fails to leaven and bread can’t be made. Yes, God gives the increase and the raw materials, but we have to play our part, we can’t just sit back and do nothing, leaving it all to God or to others.
Charlotte Carver writes about her experience of writing attending one of Fr Alex's Icon workshops.
Many friends came together to celebrate with Fr James his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood - his Silver Jubilee had fallen during covid.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.