Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 6th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 5, 2023
Yesterday turned out to be a very busy day and yet one that was rewarding in so many ways. The Remembrance Service for the Polish servicemen buried at Leominster Cemetery was a most moving occasion and I was surprised to see what a grand occasion it was. The entire Town Council led by the Mayor was present, together with the Rector of Leominster and his assistant, and a large number of immaculately dressed air cadets. Prayers were said in Polish and English, a minute’s silence was observed and a bugler played the Last Post, a fitting tribute. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Our short Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 14: 12-14), is a continuation of the conversation that went on in the house of a leading Pharisee one day when Jesus was invited there for a meal. This is what Jesus has to say to his host, “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 teaching of Jesus is always clear and in line with the Old Testament Prophets. He teaches that our motives should be pure and unprejudiced and that our preference should always be for the poor, those who cannot repay us other than by their heartfelt gratitude and prayers. Jesus always invites us to question our attitudes and behaviour towards those less well off than ourselves and all those in need. How many friends do I have outside my social class, for example, and how often have I invited a homeless person into my own home and given them hospitality? How generous am I to those in need? Do I share the best I have with them or simply give them the leftovers? How far are we and other rich nations willing to deprive ourselves, that others might have the very minimum they need just to survive? What sacrifices are we willing to make to save the planet, that our grandchildren and great grandchildren might have life in the decades and centuries to come? Our personal choices and those of our countries will decide the outcome of our planet’s destiny.
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.
