Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 14th August
Abbot Paul • August 13, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Sunday, 14th August 2022
Today we are keeping the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, almost on the right day, but not quite. For centuries this feast of Our Lady, her most important one, has been known as Easter in Summer, not only because in many places it is the tradition to make ones Easter duty today, but because Mary was the first human being to benefit from and participate fully in the mystery of her Son’s sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This is what is so important about today’s feast. We celebrate the entry of the first human being, following on from Jesus, to enter the glory of heaven. There are three moments to this event, rather like the movements of a symphony: the falling asleep of the Virgin, her Assumption or going up into heaven and her crowning as Queen of heaven by her Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. At Belmont you can see these three moments in the Lady Chapel, beneath the mensa, on the reredos and in the stained-glass window above. Where Mary has led the way, we can follow through the Father’s loving mercy, the Son’s saving sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel reading chosen for today’s feast is that of the Visitation in Luke, (Lk 1: 39-56), as it concludes with the song of Mary, the Magnificat.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.”
This wonderful song of praise and thanksgiving can enhance our understanding of any aspect of Our Lady’s life and mission in the History of Salvation. In every circumstance, Mary proclaims God’s greatness and love and his desire to save and give new life. Because of her humility, the Church in every generation proclaims her blest, and today blessed in her assumption into heaven and coronation as Queen of all creation. This is the greatest act of love and mercy that God has done for Mary, his lowly handmaid and it is an act of prophetic love and mercy, for in Mary, God opens up the way for all his children. What Mary is today, we will be at the end of time, when God raises up our mortal bodies to be like hers in glory. This demands an enormous act of faith on our part. Mary shows from the very first moment of the Annunciation what deep faith a human being can be capable of. Through her intercession, we, too, pray for that quality of faith.
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.
