Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 11th May 2023
Abbot Paul • May 10, 2023
We all look forward to the May Procession each year and last night’s was one to remember, as the great number of pilgrims snaked their way around the monastery gardens praying the Rosary and singing beautiful, traditional hymns to Our Lady. I’ll attach a few photographs I took myself, but no doubt far better ones will appear online in the next few days. Archbishop Mark spoke movingly of Our Lady’s involvement in his own priestly vocation and of how she shows us the way to respond lovingly to God’s will for us, which applies to all Christians at every stage and every day of their lives.
Our short Gospel reading today comes from John, (Jn 15: 9-11), and is the continuation of the Parable of the True Vine. The words might be few, but they are of the deepest significance.
“As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.”
In and through Christ we receive the Father’s love and Jesus longs for us to abide in the Father’s love. This we will do if we keep his commandments, just as Jesus has done his Father’s will and so abides for ever in his love. God’s love is eternal as God is eternal. Christ shares his words with us, so that his joy might be with us and so our joy be complete. What greater joy can there be than that of knowing that God’s love fills our hearts?
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
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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.