Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 10th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 9, 2023
I apologise for the missing day, but as you know, I was delayed 24 hours in Amsterdam due to icy fog and snow, and so spent Friday flying down to Lima, a comfortable flight, though I never fail to be amazed at Dutch food. On arrival, everything flowed rapidly and in no time I was in the car with Fr Alex, making for the monastery. There doesn’t appear to be a Lima stamp in my passport: I wonder why that is. I found the community happy and well and in good spirits, looking forward to the First Profession of Br Antonio on Tuesday. Friday was also Br Miguel’s 24th birthday, while yesterday, 9th December, was the anniversary of St Martin de Porras’ birth in Lima in 1579 and the feast of St Juan Diego, with whom Our Lady of Guadalupe spoke and on whose tilma or cloak she appeared and remains to this very day.
Today is the Second Sunday in Advent, when John the Baptist appears preaching a Gospel of penance and conversion and baptising in the waters of the River Jordan. Our Gospel passage is the opening paragraph of Mark, (Mk 1: 1-8), which opens like this, “The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” He then goes on to quote the prophet Isaiah, “Look, l am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.” So it is that Mark declares John the Baptist to be that voice, knowing that Jesus himself is the Word. John also confesses and says, “Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” Lord, may we your brothers and sisters, in the spirit of John the Baptist, prepare your way in the world today, for you come to every heart which is open to you.
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.