Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 8th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 7, 2022
When Fr Luke, Fr David and I settled in Tambogrande, northern Peru, in 1981, with the intention of founding a monastery, one of the many fascinating customs we found was associated with birthdays. Apart from the fact that these were celebrated in grand style, often over several days, an important aspect, perhaps the most important, was to congratulate the mother of the person celebrating their birthday, as it was she who had given the gift of life to her son or daughter. We were struck by the beauty of this custom. This is also one of the main reasons why devotion to Our Lady is so strong in Peru: it was Mary who conceived and bore a son, Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Mary always leads us to Jesus.
In today’s brief Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 11: 27-28), we discover something very similar in Jewish society at the time of Jesus. “As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!” What a charming vignette this is. While Jesus is speaking, a woman in the crowd raises her voice to bless his mother, Mary. “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that suckled you.” Indeed, they were truly blessed, but Jesus tells us why they were so blessed: the very fact that Mary heard the word of God and obeyed it. The Incarnation is the result of Mary’s obedience to God’s word. Jesus wants us all to follow his Mother’s example. Let us pray for the grace to do that always.
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
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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.
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Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.