Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 3rd June 2023
Abbot Paul • June 2, 2023
Following a day of complete rest, yesterday my friend Vasilis took me into the old city of Saloniki for a walk through our student day haunts, hardly changed in 60 years, and to see the new market, just opened, and the ongoing works on the long-delayed underground. But to begin with, a visit to the same shop we’ve been frequenting for 30 years to buy incense from Mount Athos for Peru. Opposite there was a shop where leather belts are made to measure while you wait, so Vasilis had a couple made for his expanding waistline. We also took a look at one of the many ecclesiastical tailors making vestments. Then it was on to the new market, exaggeratedly smart and hygienic. It was time for drink and a snack, so we sat at the pavement of well known snack bar for tsipouro and homemade sausages, as we reviewed our lives and thought of the years ahead and watched the world go by.
Now it was time to walk around the old market, admiring the magnificent displays of fresh fish, meat and poultry, cheese, olives, olive oil, fruit, nuts, herbs and vegetables. Weighed down with a vast amount of shopping we gradually made our way back to the car, but there was still one shop to visit, the loukoumia shop and workshop. This is Greece, so we don’t speak of Turkish Delight, the authentic article having nothing in common with what we eat in the U.K. When we got home, I was so tired, I collapsed on my bed and slept until seven o’clock, when I celebrated Mass with Sandra, who can remember the prayers still, yet has the greatest difficulty trying to read the first reading. Her Alzheimer’s is advancing rapidly. We didn’t have lunch until 8pm, but that seemed just about right!
Today we keep the feast of St Charles Lwanga and Companions, the Uganda Martyrs, 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican young men, who welcomed death in the name of Christ rather than lose their virginity. They have much to teach us today. Interestingly, Uganda also has a flourishing autochthonous Orthodox Church.
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.