Message of Abbot Paul - Monday 9th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 9, 2023
Yesterday was a very busy day, including the whole morning in a Greek Orthodox Church for the Liturgy and all that goes with it, added to which, the local elections and news from Palestine and Israel kept us glued to the television. War in the Holy Land fils us with horror and sorrow and impels us to pray for peace, a peace that can only be based on justice and respect for the integrity of the rights of all peoples who share that small area of land. In many ways the world seems to be spinning out of control. Also yesterday I was talking with a farmer friend in Peru, who was lamenting the effects of climate change on his land: his mango harvest is down this year by 90% and is worth only £45. There is so much to pray for, but prayer alone is not enough.
Today the Church remembers St John Henry Newman, the 19th century English theologian. We pray that he will soon be declared a Doctor of the Church.
Our Gospel comes from Matthew, (Mt 13: 47-52), the Parable of the Dragnet, in which Jesus compares fishermen sorting out their catch and throwing the useless fish back into the sea with the angels at the end of time separating the good from the evil, only that the fires of hell replace the comfort of the sea. Jesus ends by saying, “Every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both old and new.” We can apply this to St John Henry Newman. May he pray for us today.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.