Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 29th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 29, 2023
I’m writing this message sitting in an Airbus 220-300 belonging to Air France. Having sat in it for over an hour at Charles de Gaulle airport, waiting for the weather to improve, we are now at a standstill again, but not far from the runway. It’s been an interesting day, to say the least.
Today we keep the feast of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany, the friends of Jesus. You can read all about them in John’s Gospel. The specific passage for today’s feast is taken from the account of the Raising of Lazarus, (Jn 11: 19-27). I’m not able to reproduce it at the moment, but you will remember the account that is often read at funerals. It centers on Martha’s proclamation of faith in Jesus and in the resurrection, a declaration that will be echoed by Mary. “I know that he will rise again on the last day.” These are Martha’s words, to which Jesus replies, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Martha listens closely to his words, so that when Jesus asks her if this is what she believes, she replies, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.” In Christ alone is life, for he is the very source of life, that not even death can take away from us. Based on this faith, Jesus raised Lazarus to life again. If this is our faith, we too in Christ will rise to eternal life.
It’s been a bumpy flight, and we are now descending into Milan Linate, the city centre airport. I only have two distant shots of Paris and one of Milan to share with you today. We’re overflying Lugano at the moment and we’ll be arriving just an hour late. It could have been much worse!
We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
We are pleased to announce 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.
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.