Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 25th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 25, 2023
Yesterday, it was a great joy to visit my mother after more than a month’s absence due to my trip to Peru and commitments here at Belmont. I must organise my time better so as to enable me to see her more often. It’s not easy being an only child, especially when a parent gets to an advanced age and you’re not far behind yourself! The journey down was a joy, the journey back a nightmare of closed roads and endless diversions. Toby and I were able to go down to the beach for a couple of hours, good for his arthritis and excellent for my hay fever. It was heaven on earth.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, which is a feast both of Our Lady and Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the feast of the Incarnation, celebrating the day that the Angel Gabriel came to Mary with the Good News that she had been chosen by the Father to bear his incarnate Son, to whom she would give the name Jesus, he who saves. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.” These words, this text and this feast are fundamental to our Christian faith. Let us with Mary always say to God, “I am the servant of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Like her, may we always do God’s will.
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.