Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 6, 2023
Yesterday was a busy day here in Peru and, as I begin to write this message, it’s not over yet. At the Conventual Mass, the organist and music teacher, who plays for the monks on Sundays, became a novice oblate of the monastery. Just as at Belmont and all other Benedictine monasteries, there is an active group of oblates under the pastoral care of Br Mario. It was good to meet with them afterwards. In Hereford, one of our parishioners, Clare Wichbold, was collated and installed as a lay canon of the chapter of Hereford Cathedral, a great privilege for Clare and an honour for Belmont and first Catholic since the Reformation. In Lurin we congratulate Br Manuel and in Hereford, Clare Canon Wichbold. Today the monks are having their monthly retreat day. I have been asked to give the conference, but I look forward to meeting with the external confessor, who will be hearing our confessions.
Today’s Gospel passage comes once more from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 6: 36-38), in which Jesus invites his disciples, and that means you and me, to “be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.” We are not to judge or condemn others, but always pardon and treat them generously. We should be so generous as to give all we can to those who need our gifts. In fact, the more we give, the more we will receive. We should never forget that all we have and all we are has been given us by God.
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.
