Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 7th May
Abbot Paul • May 6, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 7th May 2022
I’m glad to hear you were able to receive my message yesterday. At the moment, I’m not quite sure how things are going to work out today. At Heathrow, I was shocked, though I shouldn’t have been, having seen it in pre-Covid days, to see holidaymakers in large numbers cheek by jowl drinking pints and chasers well before 6am. In Madrid it was rather different with compulsory masks everywhere and a Covid passport obligatory for entry. It was my first trip abroad since Brexit and so my first experience of non-EU passport control. I thought I’d never get through, until a kind guard took pity on a distressed, aged foreigner and whisked me near the front of a queue of what looked like thousands. The crush reminded me of what the Last Day might look like! I was amazed to have my passport stamped as though l came from Nicaragua or Benin. The bus ride to Burgos, masks compulsory although there we less than a dozen passengers, was delightful with splendid views over the Spanish altiplano. I was surprised to see snow still on the mountains north of Madrid. Two nuns were at the bus station to meet me. It was good to see them. Astonishingly, the Spanish government now insists on a full security check for people visiting Las Huelgas, such is the historic and artistic importance and national patrimony of this Cistercian monastery.
As I intimated yesterday, in today’s Gospel from John, (Jn 6: 60-69), we hear the reaction of his followers and disciples to the discourse on the Bread of Life. Many say, “This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it.” It was certainly unexpected and unusual language for sure. Jesus says that his words are spirit and life, even so there are those who cannot accept them. As a result of this discourse, John tells us that, “many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.” Jesus then turns to the Twelve. “ What about you, do you want to leave me too?” It’s Simon Peter who replies in the name of the Twelve. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” In other words, who else Is there on this earth that we can go to? “You alone have the message of eternal life, and we believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” How often have I repeated these words of Peter, especially at those times in my life when I’ve been tempted to walk away. Lord, who else is there but you? Lord, to whom shall we go? They’ve always brought me through, thank God.
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.
