Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th February 2023
Abbot Paul • February 5, 2023
I usually mention Toby’s first morning walk, but he has about six walks a day, some lasting only a few minutes, others half an hour or more, but they all fit into the monastic timetable. One of his favourites is the late afternoon walk, probably because his supper follows straight afterwards. This walk usually ends up in the cemetery, where he leaves his football with me and does some serious investigative sniffing. There’s always the scent left behind by other dogs, or by nocturnal deer, badgers and other night visitors, scents that linger and become more intriguing. I’ll attach a photograph I took yesterday afternoon. It will give you an idea of how magical it is and why we both enjoy walking there so much. Toby loves cemeteries in general and there’s hardly been a Herefordshire cemetery we haven’t visited together.
​Today the Church celebrates the Martyrs of Nagasaki, Japan, St Paul Miki and his Companions, 26 of the many Japanese Catholics martyred for their faith from the end of the16th century onwards. I believe that about 400 have been beatified and 42 canonised. What an example of faith and fortitude these martyrs are. May they pray for Christians throughout the world today.
​Our Gospel passage comes from Mark, (Mk 6: 53-56), and describes briefly how the crowds followed Jesus and his disciples around Galilee and how they were patiently and lovingly healed by Jesus as a sign of God’s love and forgiveness. “Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.” Following the example of the crowds may we seek Jesus and ask him for healing and forgiveness today and every day. Amen.
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.
