Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 7th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 6, 2023
Among other things, yesterday included a visit to a number of ancient churches in Thessaloniki, a city that has buildings from each period of its long history. Among these are a number of famous Byzantine churches, some small, others monumental. The martyr St Demetrius is the patron saint of the city. His church is an important pilgrimage centre for devout Christians from all over Greece and the Balkans. The present church dates from the seventh century, replacing an earlier fourth century building, which itself replaced Roman baths. St Demetrius was born in Thessaloniki in the year 270 and martyred for his faith in the year 306. I joined a group of pilgrims from Serbia to visit the magnificent basilica and was privileged to have five minutes alone with the martyr at his tomb. I will post some photographs. Then I visited the church of Our Lady not Made by Hand, in which is revered an icon of the Mother of God believed to have been written by St Luke. It is yet another Roman basilica, but below current street level. I also visited the famous city landmark, the Arch of Galerius, commissioned by the fourth century Roman Emperor. There are substantial Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments in Thessaloniki, as well as Ancient Greek and Macedonian.
Today in the West we keep the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We ask Our Lady to pray for and guide those taking part in the Synod, that we may all walk in the footsteps of Jesus and that we may all, as Jesus said to his disciples in today’s Gospel, “rejoice for our names are written in heaven.”
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.