Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 31st October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 31, 2022
Today is the Vigil of All Saints, at one time a day of fasting and abstinence in preparation for the great feast. The old English word Halloween simply means the Vigil of All Saints and has nothing whatever to do with what it has been turned into commercially the world over. We pray for the young people who were killed or injured in that horrific accident in Korea and for their families. What on earth were they celebrating?
This evening, we will be blessed at Belmont by the Clothing of our two postulants in the habit of St Benedict as they enter the Novitiate and begin their monastic formation as novices. As a sign of conversion and new life, they will be given new names by which they will be known for the rest of their lives as monks of Belmont. I ask you to pray for their perseverance and for the blessing of new vocations to the Benedictine life both at Belmont and in our foundation in Peru.
Today’s short Gospel reading from Luke, (Lk 14: 12-14), sees Jesus at table in the house of a leading Pharisee. He had already warned people about rushing to take the best seats. He now continues with his critical advice. This is what he has to say. “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.” The words of Jesus couldn’t be clearer and have no need of interpretation. The Pharisees weren’t too happy with what Jesus taught and responded with criticism and, ultimately, arrest and death. When I listen to Pope Francis speak, I can’t help but think that here is Jesus speaking with the scribes and Pharisees. I realise that there is a problem in how to translate his nuanced remarks and homilies that are spoken in Italian or Spanish. Lord, grant us the humility to listen carefully with the ears of our heart to the words of Jesus and to the teaching of the Holy Father. Amen.
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.
