Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 9th May
Abbot Paul • May 8, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Monday, 9th May 2022
Yesterday really was a wonderful day in many ways. The Conventual Mass was at 10 and attended by a good congregation. As it was Sunday, I had to wear a mask throughout, as did the congregation. I was assisted by the chaplain, a delightful Spanish Carmelite, and two charming seminarians, one Panamanian, the other Venezuelan, both studying for the Archdiocese of Burgos. After None, I spent an hour with the nuns at recreation: they are such a lovely community. Then at 5.30, there was a celebration of the Via Lucis, a meditation on the Resurrection, led by the parish priest, who is also the Vicar General, and about sixty of his parishioners, young and old. This took place in the oldest of the cloisters, twelfth century, and was followed by delicious refreshments for all. They then joined us for Vespers at which I presided. It was such a joyful and uplifting day: I feel thoroughly refreshed.
Yesterday we read the conclusion to the Good Shepherd discourse, but today we read the beginning, (Jn 10: 1-10). Jesus compares those who enter through the gate of the sheepfold and those who do not, those who are shepherds and those who are thieves and brigands. He who is truly the shepherd of the flock is admitted to the sheepfold by the gatekeeper. The shepherd is the one who goes ahead of the sheep to lead them safely, and they recognise him and listen to his voice. He then goes on to say, “I am the gate of the sheepfold. Anyone who enters by me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” The first image we have is of Christ being the gate through whom we must pass in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. He is also the gate through which, in the sacraments of Christian initiation, we enter to form part of his mystical Body, the Church, which is made up of living stones. He assures us of our safety, that he will take care of us. More than that, he gives us the ultimate promise that he has come to give us the fullness of life, the gift of eternal life. How can we not give thanks to God in Jesus and through the Spirit for giving us life in all its fullness, eternal life, God’s own life?
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.
