Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 8th August
Abbot Paul • August 7, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 8th August 2022
Thinking it to be a day of rest, people often ask me what I do on a Sunday, imagining that after the particular Mass they see me at, I can just put up my feet and have an easy day. From time to time, I wish it were like that, but let me give you a summary of yesterday as an example. Having woken up about 4.30am, I prayed for a while before my morning ablutions and then checked emails and other messages that might have come in overnight. I then went out with Toby and, like him, took in the early morning scene as the seasons change. We said the Angelus and the Rosary together, he listening devoutly, I saying the words and fingering the beads. Then came the offices of Vigils and Lauds, celebrated in choir with the community, followed by our daily Chapter and preparations for the 8.30 Mass. After a quick breakfast and some reading, there was the first Parish Mass, quiet, simple and prayerful. Then I took a break from duties and accompanied Toby with his football on the playing fields, which concluded by feeding our ravenous fish, the only fish I know that can swim out of the water, balancing on their tails, as they eagerly wait for their breakfast. Then came Toby’s breakfast, lovingly prepared by his faithful servant. After a quiet time and some reading, I went down to church to prepare for the 11 o’clock Mass, which is live streamed. After clearing everything away and taking a brisk walk with Toby, I caught up with emails or did some serious reading. Then came Midday Office, lunch and recreation with the brethren. This was followed by a Baptism. The parents and godparents and most of the guests were Lithuanian, so I asked Br Alvidas to accompany me and read the two scripture passages in Lithuanian. They were such lovely people. Just as we were finishing, our Ukrainian friends arrived from Gloucester to celebrate the Ukrainian Liturgy, which they do on the first Sunday of each month. There is a growing Ukrainian community in Herefordshire, which will increase as time goes on, especially as the war shows no sign of abating and I doubt Mr Putin will want to give back what he has taken and destroyed. There followed a sick communion, Toby’s supper, Vespers and Benediction, a light supper, Compline and then sitting down to write this message. The day will be rounded off by a long walk with Toby in the cool of the evening, a reminder of the story of Creation and God walking with Adam in the Garden of Eden. And I have yet to put my feet up!
Today we celebrate the feast of St Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans. We pray for his intercession for the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel to all creatures. Our Gospel reading comes from Matthew, (Mt 17: 22-27), and begins with Jesus reminding his disciples yet again of the Passion he must undergo. “One day when they were together in Galilee, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men; they will put him to death, and on the third day he will be raised to life again.’ And a great sadness came over them.” We can’t help but notice that they do not follow what he is saying about rising from the dead to new life on the third day. It’s as though Jesus had ended his words with, “they will put him to death.” This teaches us to listen carefully to what Jesus has to say, to listen to every word and at no time to switch off, as often we do, and not only with Jesus, but among ourselves as well. Jesus teaches us the art of listening. We have much to learn.
Our brethren in Peru were delighted with the election of Pope Leo.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. Requiem Mass & Burial Thursday 5th June, 12 noon, Belmont Abbey John Peter Jabale was born on 16th October 1933 in Alexandria, Egypt of mainly European heritage. His father was Lebanese/French, and his mother British/Greek/French. He attended the Lycée Français in Alexandria until 1948, when he was sent to England, having expressed a desire to join the Navy. He enrolled at Belmont Abbey School and, upon leaving school, joined the Abbey, taking the religious name Mark. He was ordained to the priesthood on 13 July 1958. He was then sent to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he obtained a Licentiate in French Literature, writing his thesis on Joseph de Maistre, the French counter-revolutionary. He later completed a Diploma in Education at St Mary’s, Strawberry Hill, where he also played rugby for the University. From 1964, he taught sport and served as a housemaster at the school. In 1969, he was appointed Headmaster of Alderwasley School in Derbyshire, though he held that post for only half a term before being recalled to Belmont to serve as Headmaster there, a role he held—apart from a sabbatical—until 1983. From 1964 he was teaching sport and then was a housemaster in the School. In 1969 he was appointed Headmaster of Alderwasley School, Derbyshire, but filled that post for only half a term. He was called back to Belmont to be Headmaster where he served, apart from a sabbatical, until 1983. Fr Mark was a rowing coach of considerable repute. During his sabbatical in 1979, he assisted Dan Topolski in coaching the Oxford crew for the Boat Race. His greatest coaching triumph came when he led a lightweight coxless four to a gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Bled, Yugoslavia — the only gold medal won by Great Britain that year. The following year, he was invited to coach for the Olympics, but he declined in order to remain committed to Belmont. He was a steward of Henley Royal Regatta and was responsible for setting up and programming its first computerised systems. He was ahead of may in seeing the potential of new technology. In 1983, he was sent to Peru to purchase land and build a new monastery, which included raising funds in the UK. The new monastery was blessed, and the first Mass was celebrated there by the Archbishop of Piura, Oscar Cantuarias Pastor, in June 1986 together with Abbot Jerome, Fr Paul, Fr Luke, Fr David as well as Fr Mark. Dom Mark returned to Belmont as Prior and was elected the 10th Abbot of Belmont in 1993. He later wrote: “My first and most painful task proved to be the overseeing of the closure of the school.” Together with the bursar, John Hubert, he negotiated with the local NHS for the 4 houses to be leased to them. In 2000, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Menevia by Pope John Paul II and was ordained bishop in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea, on 7 December 2000. He succeeded Bishop Daniel Mullins as the 10th Bishop of Menevia on 12 June 2001. During his episcopate, he held several important offices: Chairman of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, Trustee and Visitator of the three foreign seminaries — the Venerable English College (Rome), the Beda College (Rome), and the Royal English College (Valladolid). He was also Bishop-in-Charge of on-going formation for diocesan priests. Upon reaching the age of 75, Bishop Jabale submitted his resignation to the Holy Father on 16 October 2008 and was succeeded by Bishop Tom Burns. He then moved to Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, and was inducted as Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in March 2009, a post he held until 2014. At the age of 81, he retired to Hendon in London, where he celebrated daily Mass at a local convent, assisted in various parishes, and continued to help with confirmations in the diocese. In October 2019, he moved to Archbishop’s House, Westminster, for nine months. Finally, he returned to Belmont in 2020 as a much-cherished member of the community. He described himself as “very happy.” He remained there until his death in Hereford County Hospital on 9 May 2025, aged 91. He had been a monk of Belmont for 73 years, a priest for 67 years and a bishop for 24 years. Condolences came from Pope Leo XIV:
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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.