Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 5th June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 4, 2023
It was good to celebrate Pentecost again yesterday and to do so both in Catholic and Orthodox churches in Thessaloniki. It made me realise how shortsighted it was to abolish the Octave of Pentecost, which really brought home the meaning and importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, culminating then in the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
Today we celebrate the feast of St Boniface, the 8th century English Benedictine monk, who led the Anglo-Saxon mission to German speaking lands, thus becoming the Apostle to Germany. He was martyred on this day in the year 754 at the age of 79. His body is venerated in the cathedral at Fulda.
Our Gospel passage today comes from Mark, (Mk 12: 1-12), in which Jesus tells the Parable of the Vineyard to the chief priests, scribes and Pharisees, warning them that the vineyard that is Israel will pass to other leaders if they do not come to believe that the Messiah has come in himself, that they are no more than tenants and not landowners. Jesus ends by quoting Psalm 117 (118), “It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord’s doing and it is wonderful to see.” Let us pray today for the Church in Germany and throughout the world and that the Lord will raise up apostles like St Boniface to preach the Gospel with conviction and joy.
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.
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.