Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 4th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 4, 2023
Greetings from Peru and from our monastery of St Mary of the Most Holy Trinity in Lurin, on the Pacific coast south of Lima. Yesterday was a normal day after resting on Thursday. I was up well in time for Vigils at 4.30, followed by lectio, then Sung Lauds at 6.20 and Sung Mass at 7.00. Thanksgiving after Mass is made together in church, then breakfast is at 8.00. Once the washing up is done, Terce is sung at 8.45 and so the day’s work begins. For some time I’ve had hanging over my head the task of writing a chapter for a book, so I took advantage of a relatively free morning to get a good part of it done. I’ve left two paragraphs and a general revision for this morning. Let’s hope I can get it finished by lunchtime. As for the rest of the daily timetable, Sext is sung at 1.00pm and is followed by lunch. After the washing up, there’s a short break until None which is sung at 3.00. Work or classes follow until Vespers which is sung at 5.30, followed by mental prayer done in common in church, then supper at 7.00. Recreation follows on from washing up, which is always done together, and after recreation, the daily Chapter with a short conference and, to conclude, Compline around 8.15. It’s a full day, but a rewarding one. Yesterday and today we also have a Parish group of about 25 young people on retreat. The retreat house is very popular, as is the shop.
Our Gospel passage today sees us again with Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5: 43-48). Here Jesus tells his disciples that they must love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Only this way will they be sons and daughters of their Heavenly Father. It is simply not good enough only to love those who love us. We must be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Today we pray that this might become a reality in our lives. We can pray for the intercession of St Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania, whose feast day we keep 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.