Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 26th November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 25, 2022
So it is that we come to the end of another Liturgical Year and prepare to begin our annual journey anew. Tomorrow is the First Sunday in Advent, a new year and a fresh start in our following Jesus along the way of the Gospel. This is reflected in the short Gospel reading for this morning from Luke, (Lk 21: 34-3). Here it is; Jesus is speaking with his disciples.
“Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.”
The message is very simple and straightforward. He wants us to live pure lives and not allow ourselves to become distracted by unnecessary things. Hence, we will remain focused on God and in constant prayer. In this way we need have no fear, for God will be with us.
Let us pray, then, that through faith and humility, patience and perseverance, this will become a reality in our lives, as we prepare for the beginning of Advent this evening.
Please note that the Advent Carol Service at 7.30 this evening will also be live streamed on both the Belmont Parish and Abbey websites.
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.
