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.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
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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.
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Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.